I am pleased to announce today that Australia's merchandise exports to the Americas grew by a strong 28 per cent in 2000, to a record $13.9 billion.

The good news is contained in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's publication Australia's Trade with the Americas, 2000 which I released today while attending the Australia and Latin America Conference in Canberra.

The report shows that exports of Primary products increased by 51 percent to $5.1 billion, exports of Simply transformed manufactures increased by 22 per cent to $1.1 billion and exports ofElaborately transformed manufactures increased by 21 per cent to $4.6 billion - the first time that they have exceeded $4 billion.  In 2000 exports to the Americas accounted for 13 per cent of total Australian exports," Mr Vaile said.

Beef ($1.4 billion), crude petroleum ($1.2 billion) and wine ($513 million) were Australia's largest individual export items to the Americas in 2000.

Exports to the United States (accounting for 79 per cent of our total exports to the Americas) rose by 31 per cent in 2000. Other major trading partners in the Americas which recorded strong export growth in 2000 included Brazil (up 46 per cent), Canada (up 19 percent), Chile (up 18 per cent) and Mexico (up 21 per cent).

I have recently returned from a successful visit to Latin America, which included visits to Mexico, Uruguay and Chile.  These countries and others in the region show enormous potential for deepening trade ties with the region.

The success of the Sydney Olympics is reflected in our exports of services to the Americas, growing by 28 per cent to $6.8 billion in 2000. Since 1995, Australia's exports of services to the Americas have grown at an average rate of 16 per cent a year, the main destination being the United States. 

Australia's Trade with the Americas 2000 provides a comprehensive coverage of Australia's merchandise and services trade with North and South America, together with country specific trade and general economic information.

Copies of the publication can be purchased ($26.50) from the Market Information and Analysis Unit on Ph (02) 6261 3114 or Fax (02) 6261 3321.  The main features and analysis from the report will be available on the department's website at http://www.dfat.gov.au/publications/statistics.html#twam  Orders for the publication can also be placed at this site.