Media Release

Monday, 14 July 2003 - MVT54/2003

ACCI Boosts Business Backing For Australia - US FTA

Trade Minister Mark Vaile today welcomed the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s endorsement of the Free Trade Agreement that Australia is currently negotiating with the United States.

Meeting in Darwin on the weekend, ACCI announced it supported the efforts by Australia and the US to negotiate a “bold and comprehensive” FTA.

ACCI said the prospective FTA had “the potential to deliver Australian exporters substantially expanded market access to one of the world’s most dynamic economies.”

“The support of Australia’s largest business association is a welcome addition to the wide array of business, community and political support for the Australia-US FTA,” Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile noted ACCI’s belief that negotiating freer global trade arrangements in the World Trade Organisation should remain our top trade priority – a position that is entirely consistent with Australian Government policies.

“The pursuit of multilateral trade reform remains our no.1 priority – but that is a long and winding road littered with challenges and delays. Australia can not just depend on reaching a solid agreement among 146 WTO members to open markets for our exporters,” Mr Vaile said. “Our complementary strategy to pursue a limited number of bilateral market access agreements with key trading partners is widely supported by Australia’s exporters and importers.”

Contact:  Matthew Doman  02 6277 7420