Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Thursday, November 9, 2000
New WTO round push at APEC meeting
Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, will urge the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to renew the push for a new round of World Trade Organisation trade talks at the APEC Joint Ministerial Meeting, in Brunei, this Sunday-Monday (Nov 12-13).
"APEC can make a real difference by building support for a new round of global trade negotiations as early as possible," Mr Vaile said.
"In Brunei, we need to consolidate the excellent outcomes achieved in Darwin at the APEC Trade Ministers' meeting. We must push for the start of work on industrial tariffs in Geneva, as well as progress on the current talks on agriculture and services. Progress here will help build momentum towards a new WTO round launch in 2001.
"Brunei will also see the further development of new tools for our business community to access export markets in the APEC region. The BizAPEC.com website, which gives Australian exporters and investors the on-line information they need to access markets in the Asia-Pacific has been a big, hit with Australian business. The latest figures show an average of over 12,000 hits per month on BizAPEC.com.
"APEC is the key forum to discuss trade liberalisation and facilitation in the region. It brings together 20 Asia-Pacific economies which account for over 60% of world GDP, and over 70% of Australia's trade," Mr Vaile said.
The Minister also released the APEC Region Trade and Investment 2000 report prepared by his Department showing that Australia's merchandise exports to APEC economies increased by 16% to $71.2 billion in 1999-00. Japan and the US continued to be the two largest export markets. Australian exports to the APEC region have been growing at an average of 7% over the past 10 years. The main features of report will be placed on the Department's website at: www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics.html.
APEC comprises: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, US and Vietnam.
Contact: Bruce Mills 02 6277 7420
Local Date: Sunday, 12-Feb-2012 11:50:50 EST