Media release
Thursday, 5 September 2002 - MVT106/2002
Talks in Iran to Boost Trade and Economic Relationship
More than 50 representatives from 34 Australian businesses will accompany
Trade Minister Mark Vaile on a business delegation that aims to increase
business opportunities and forge new trading and economic relationships
with Iran, Mr Vaile announced today.
Minister Vaile's visit to Iran (9-11 September) forms part of a six-day
three-leg trade and investment visit from 8-14 September that also
takes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (8-9 September) and Brunei
Darussalam (12-14 September).
Mr Vaile said Iran has been a long-standing and valued trading partner,
with two-way trade last year exceeding $770 million, in sectors varying
from agricultural goods to elaborately transformed manufactures, such
as high-speed ferries and agricultural machinery, as well as technology
and services.
"This business mission is an opportunity to build on these existing
ties and forge new and dynamic commercial relationships," Mr Vaile
said.
"Australia is already known in Iran as a reliable and competitive
supplier of high quality wheat to Iran, indeed Iran is Australia's
second largest wheat export market."
"Our visit also provides an opportunity for Iranian businesses to
gain an insight into the diverse nature of Australia's large and dynamic
economy.
"As well, the visit takes in the 9th Australia-Iran Joint Ministerial
Commission meeting, which I will co-chair, and provides the opportunity
for me to hold a range of meetings with Iranian Ministers.
"I am confident these exchanges, between both governments and business,
will lead to an expansion of our already strong trading relationship.
It is in the interests of both sides for these types of exchanges
to continue."
Mr Vaile will visit the UAE to sign an Air Services Agreement with
the Minister for Communications, Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, and hold discussions
and his trade counterpart the Minister for Economy and Commerce, Sheikh
Fahim.
"The UAE is Australia's second largest trade market in the Middle
East region, with two-way trade valued at $2.2 billion in 2001"
In Brunei Darussalam Mr Vaile will attend the 7th annual
ASEAN Economic Ministers and Closer Economic Relations Agreement (CER)
consultations between Ministers from ASEAN and the Australia-New Zealand
CER.
Mr Vaile said Ministers will consider the further development of
the AFTA-CER Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) including progress
in trade and economic cooperation and implementation of a CEP initial
work program.
"The Closer Economic Partnership work program aims to enhance regional
economic cooperation between Australia, New Zealand and ASEAN. The
work program will look at joint activities which will boost trade
and investment between our countries," Mr Vaile said.
"Ministers will also hold discussions with representatives of the
newly-established AFTA-CER Business Council."
"We are keen to ensure business has the opportunity to contribute
to the formulation of a substantive and progressive work program and
embraces some ambitious trade and investment goals between AFTA and
CER.
"During my visit to Brunei, I expect to meet with Singapore's Minister
for Trade and Industry George Yeo and Thailand's Minister for Commerce
Dr Adisai to discuss progress in Free Trade Agreement negotiations."
Mr Vaile will also attend a meeting of the Australia-Brunei Business
Council where he will deliver the keynote address.
Business delegation
Archimedes Consulting (mining, energy & industry); Aressem Pty
Ltd (AIRVAC vacuum systems); Australian Gas Technology Services;
Australian National University; Australian Photonics Cooperative
Research Centre; AWB Ltd; Bandwidth Foundry (Subsidiary of Australian
Photonics); BHP Billiton; Clements Medical Equipment Pty Ltd; Clipsal
(electrical products); Clough (technology & services); CSIRO;
Curtin University of Technology; Detpak Pty Ltd (packaging); Fares
Group (Agriculture); Intercard Wireless Ltd (technology & services);
International Resources Consultants Pty Ltd; International Training
Australia Pty Ltd; Meat & Livestock Australia; MYC Enterprises
(education services); Nuemann Group of Companies (industry); Oceanis
Australia Group (aquariums); PACE (education services); PITCO (technology
& services); Santos Ltd; Seaspray Aluminium Boats Emirates UC;
Tenix LADS Corporation (technology & services); Toyota Australia;
Union Capital (mining, energy & industry); University of Adelaide;
Vecien Ltd (Intercard Wireless) (communications); Woodside Energy
Ltd; Government of South Australia; Victoria Government Business
Office.
Media Contact: Mark Croxford +61 02 6277 7420
Local Date:
Friday, 05-Dec-2008 13:33:58 EST
