Media release
Tuesday, 6 August 2002 - MVT092
Understanding Why Australia Trades with the World
Giving people a better understanding why Australia trades with the world would be an essential element in the Federal Government’s strategy to double the number of Australian exporters by 2006, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said this evening.
Mr Vaile's comments came as he launched a series of Federal Government fact sheets entitled Australia - Trading with the world to his State and Territory Trade counterparts at National Trade Consultation discussions in Sydney.
“Trade matters to all Australians. Trade creates jobs, improves our standards of living, and delivers benefits to communities right across Australia,” Mr Vaile said.
“Last year Australian exporters earned $154 billion for this country. Surprisingly that income was earned by only four per cent of Australian businesses. A figure that is low by international standards.”
“Today one in five jobs across Australia relies on exports, and in regional Australia that figure increases to one in four.
“Independent studies indicate a 10 per cent increase in exports could create 70,000 new jobs in Australia.
“Australia - Trading with the world provides readers with easy to read information and statistics on Australia’s trading strength and the diversity of our exports.
“The 12 fact sheets that make up Australia - Trading with the world demonstrate Australia’s export successes in, the new economy, resources and energy, agribusiness, and addresses Australia’s role in the regional trade relationship and the World Trade Organization's multilateral system.”
Mr Vaile said even though the Federal Government has made considerable progress in recent years promoting Australia’s strong trade credentials to domestic and international audiences, we cannot afford to be complacent.
“Realising the Federal Government's goal to double the number of exporters by 2006 presents a challenging road ahead, but it is a challenge this Government is prepared to take.”
“Doubling the number exporters by 2006 will not only deliver tangible benefits to the nation in four years time, it will lay the foundations for future generations of Australians to build on.”
Australia - Trading with the world is available on-line at http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade and is available from DFAT and Austrade offices across Australia.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford, Parliament House, Canberra 2600 Ph: +61 2 6277 7420 Fx: +61 2 6273 4128
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 14:10:01 EST
