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Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Tuesday, 14 August 2001 / MVT109/2001
Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee Outcomes
The Minister for Trade Mark Vaile and Malaysia's Minister for International Trade and Industry, YB Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz have met at the 9th Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee meeting in Perth on 13-14 August.
Speaking at a joint press conference after the meeting, both ministers reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral trade relationship, noting that two way merchandise trade had grown by 13% in the financial year 2000-2001 compared with the previous year, to $A6.7 billion. This was well in excess of two way trade prior to the Asian economic crisis.
"We are very pleased with the positive bilateral trade and investment outlook. Australian merchandise exports to Malaysia rose by 17% in financial year 2000-2001. The outlook for Australian services exports to Malaysia is also very good. Our services exports were worth $A866 million in 2000, of which education services formed a significant component. Australian companies remain focused on the investment opportunities offered by Malaysia," said Mr Vaile.
"Minister Rafidah and I agreed that an important aspect of our discussions here today was to identify ways in which we can ensure two way trade and investment continues to grow. Business representatives from both countries presented their views on how we can continue to ensure growth in our economic and trade relationship," said Mr Vaile.
"Minister Rafidah and I encouraged the Australia-Malaysia Business Council and the Malaysia-Australia Business Council to develop stronger, more formal links with business councils in the ASEAN-CER region."
"This will add energy to the ASEAN-CER relationship, ensuring that the private sector adds impetus to the regional trade and investment agenda."
"Minister Rafidah and I also spoke about the need for a forward looking approach to the current regional and multilateral trade agenda, including the importance of positive outcomes from this year's APEC leaders' meeting and the launching of a new WTO round in Doha."
Contact:
James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7420
Lyndall Sachs (Departmental) 026261 1555
Local Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-2008 23:57:39 EST