Media Release
Wednesday, 27 August 2003 - MVT65/2003
Trans-Tasman Trade And Economic Talks Highlight Strong Ties
Trade Minister Mark Vaile will lead Australia’s delegation to a Ministerial Forum in Sydney on 28 August marking the 20th anniversary of the Closer Economic Relations (CER) Agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
Mr Vaile will hold discussions with his New Zealand counterpart, the Minister for Trade Negotiations, Jim Sutton and other ministers attending the meeting including the Minister for Agriculture, Warren Truss and the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan and their New Zealand counterparts.
“The CER is the cornerstone of the trans-Tasman economic relationship. It now covers all trans-Tasman trade in goods and almost all services. It is supported by a web of bilateral agreements, for example, on the movement of people, mutual recognition of standards, customs and quarantine harmonisation, government procurement and aviation,” Mr Vaile said.
“Our discussions will focus on important bilateral issues such as rules of origin, business law coordination and taxation.”
Mr Vaile said that global and regional trade developments will also be high on the agenda.
“I will take the opportunity to consolidate the approach of Australia and New Zealand, as members of the Cairns Group of agricultural exporting nations, to the WTO Ministerial meeting in Cancun, Mexico in September, and APEC.”
Business representatives from both countries will participate in parallel sectoral discussions on “Partnering for Innovation in Biotechnology”.
“Australia enjoys a strong and dynamic relationship with New Zealand, forged in large part by the immense achievement of the CER. With bilateral trade in 2001-02 worth over $16 billion and bilateral investment exceeding $47 billion, New Zealand is a very important trade and investment partner,” Mr Vaile said.
The last Australia-New Zealand Trade Ministers’ Meeting was held in Christchurch on 29-30 August 2002.
Contact: Matthew Doman 02 6277 7420