Trade Minister Mark Vaile will visit Tokyo from 2-5 June and will attend the APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Shanghai from 6-7 June.

In Tokyo, Mr Vaile will promote trade and investment opportunities and meet key Ministers in Prime Minister Koizumi's new Government.

"Japan is by far Australia's largest export market, taking more than $25 billion worth ofproduce in 2000.  These exports account for around four per cent of Australia's GDP and contribute to around 380,000 Australian jobs," Mr Vaile said.

"The timing of the visit is particularly important as it will give me an opportunity to engage with key Ministers in the new Government of Prime Minister Koizumi, including my counterpart, the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Takeo Hiranuma, and Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tsutomu Takebe.

"I will discuss with Japanese leaders methods to further strengthen our economic relations following the Australia-Japan Conference, held in Sydney at the end of April, and the Strengthening Economic Relations studies.

"I am interested in discussing the proposal of a Trade and Investment Facilitation Agreement (TIFA) as raised at the Australia-Japan conference as a way of working toward strengthening the bilateral relationship."

Mr Vaile said the visit would also be an opportunity to promote further cooperation in regional and international forums such as APEC and the World Trade Organisation.

In Shanghai, Mr Vaile will attend the APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade which comes at an important time in terms of building support for the launch of a new global round of trade negotiations at the November WTO Ministerial in Doha.

"I will seek a strong statement of APEC commitment to a round that will address key Australian concerns and generate real benefits for ordinary Australians - especially those in rural Australia," Mr Vaile said. 

"We need concrete measures that generate confidence for a round and in this regard I will be working to build support among other trade Ministers for Australia's proposal for a moratorium on increases to applied tariffs.  I have suggested that this moratorium remain in place until the WTO Ministerial in November and that APEC challenge other countries to join us in this undertaking." 

Mr Vaile will also launch a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade study on APEC tariff levels at the meeting, and he will officially open the new premises of Australia's Consulate-General in Shanghai on 7 June.

Contact:
James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7420
Nicole Guihot (Departmental) 02 6261 1555

MVT80/2001