Australian Business Encouraged to Get Involved in APEC

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Media release

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

27 April 2001

Australia is undertaking a study to review APEC's progress in achieving trade in the region at no or low tariffs, Trade Minister Mark Vaile told a forum of key business and trade officials meeting in Melbourne today.

"Although more liberalisation needs to take place, I am confident this study will demonstrate the significant progress already made by APEC economies in terms of trade liberalisation," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile was speaking at 2001 APEC Business Forum, a key element of the Government's domestic consultation process shaping Australia's approach to APEC.

"Bringing together more than 150 senior business and trade officials in the APEC Business Forum today shows that the Government is listening closely and responding to the needs of Australian business," Mr Vaile said.

"APEC remains a cornerstone of our engagement in the Asia Pacific, and the forum provided an important opportunity for business to receive up-to-date information about developments in APEC and to provide input into setting APEC's agenda and work program."

The forum used focus groups to explore three areas in detail: financial services, manufacturing (including automotives and agribusiness) and e-commerce and information technology.

"Work being done in APEC, and the relationships it has fostered, help in our critical task of removing unfair barriers confronting Australia's exporters," Mr Vaile said.

"A striking feature of APEC's work is that it has become increasingly responsive to the concerns of business and more focused on practical measures to lower business costs.

"APEC, along with the Government's efforts in the WTO and bilaterally, is about helping Australian business grow through exports. Building support for the launch of a new WTO round at the Doha meeting of trade ministers in November is Australia's highest trade priority this year and we will be working through APEC to support that outcome," Mr Vaile said.

Contact: James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7420
Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555

MVT64/2001

Local Date: Thursday, 17-May-2012 16:30:47 EST