Media Release

18 October 2003 - MVT82/2003

APEC Ministers Agree to Move World Trade Talks Forward

Agreement by APEC ministers today to work together to move the World Trade Organisation Doha Round of trade negotiations forward was an important outcome for world trade and economic growth, Trade Minister Mark Vaile said.

Speaking from the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Mr Vaile said ministers expressed considerable regret and disappointment about the setback at the 5th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun, Mexico in September but importantly agreed to use Chairman Derbez's text of September 13, 2003 as a basis for moving the negotiations forward.

"This is a significant step which sends a strong signal to the international community that APEC is committed to getting the Doha Round back on track for delivering ambitious outcomes, particularly in agriculture, non-agriculture market access and services," Mr Vaile said.

"This message was also conveyed to WTO Director-General Supachai at a dinner I hosted for him and other APEC trade ministers and United States Trade Representative Robert Zoellick yesterday.

"APEC ministers emphasized the centrality of agriculture to the Doha negotiations and reinforced the necessity of the abolition of all forms of agricultural export subsidies. Ministers also agreed on the importance of progressing APEC's trade facilitation agenda to help with the WTO negotiations on this issue and to reduce the costs of doing business in the region.

"China, Australia's third largest trading partner, has agreed to an APEC initiative to simplify its customs procedures providing significant benefits to Australian exporters and importers dealing with China," Mr Vaile said.

"The US, Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico have also agreed to another Australian APEC initiative on electronic sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) certification called E-cert. Australia's E-cert is scheduled to go live in December for meat, dairy, fish, grains, horticulture, wool, skins and hides exports.

"China's decision to simplify its customs procedures and the introduction of E-Cert will provide substantial benefits to Australian business including reduced costs, increased competitiveness, more timely and secure delivery of data, reduced security risks and improvements in communications between government and business."

Contact:  Matthew Doman 02 6277 7420