Media Release

Tuesday, 1 July 2003 - MVT51/2003

Australia Delivers Duty-Free Access for Least Developed Countries and East Timor

The world’s 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and East Timor will receive duty-free and quota-free access to the Australian market from today, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said today.

The new legislation, passed last week, gives effect to the Prime Minister’s announcement last October at the APEC Leaders’ Meeting in Los Cabos, of duty-free and quota-free access for goods originating in LDCs. The government has also extended the preferential access to East Timor.

“Australia has provided generous preferential market access for the world’s poorest countries for many years, and now LDCs and East Timor will have duty-free and quota-free access for all products from today,” Mr Vaile said.

“Economic growth is the best poverty-buster, and this initiative will help the poorest to increase their exports and living standards. 

“Australia’s initiative is comprehensive and unqualified.  It does not exclude sensitive sectors or provide phasing-in arrangements for items such as agricultural products, which are often missing from the packages provided to LDCs by other major developed countries.

“Australia continues to address trade and development issues in a number of international meetings and fora, including the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the May 2002 UN Conference on Least Developed Countries. 

“This market access initiative demonstrates Australia’s commitment to the particular needs of LDCs and to helping them participate effectively in the multilateral trading system, particularly in the current WTO Doha Round of trade negotiations.

Contact:  Matthew Doman  02 6277 7420

Least Developed Countries: