Media release

25 July 2004 - MVT63/2004

Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committe Meeting

 

Trade Minister Mark Vaile and Malaysia's Minister for International Trade and Industry, YB Dato' Seri Rafidah Aziz, will co-chair the 11th meeting of the Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Melbourne tomorrow.

The JTC is an important occasion for the Australian and Malaysian Governments to pursue cooperative and forward-looking approaches to the bilateral commercial relationship and provides for greater business interaction.

"For the first time, the JTC will include direct industry participation from the Australian and Malaysian construction sector," Mr Vaile said.

"It is an excellent opportunity to listen to business about prospects for increased trade and investment between our two countries within this sector.

"Another important element of the meeting will be to identify initiatives for future cooperation, including within the franchising sector and by looking at ways to improve investment links. We will also discuss developments in regional and multilateral trade policies."

The meeting will review the implementation of initiatives from the last JTC, including business take-up of the Halal Food Production and Marketing Initiative, cooperation in legal services, and Malaysia's interest in examining best practices in Australia's solid waste management and retail distribution sectors.

The Australia Malaysia Business Council and Malaysia Australia Business Council will also participate in the meeting. The last Joint Trade Committee meeting was held in Genting, Malaysia, in July 2002.

Mr Vaile and Minister Rafidah will hold a joint press conference after the JTC on the afternoon of Monday 26 July at the Ballroom, Windsor Hotel, 103 Spring Street in Melbourne (time to be advised).

 

Media contact: Matthew Doman (Canberra) +612 6277 7420. Nicole Guihot (departmental) 02 6261 1555