Vaile to Deepen Asian Commercial Links

Mr Vaile will be travelling to Indonesia, Japan and Singapore 16-22 April for talks aimed at deepening Australia’s commercial links in Asia.

Mr Vaile will participate in the fifth Australia – Indonesia Trade Ministers’ meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Dr Mari Pangestu, in Bali on 18 April. Both Ministers will address the Indonesia Australia Business Conference being jointly hosted by the bilateral business councils.

“There is no better time to take forward the commercial relationship between Australia and Indonesia with opportunities for strengthening cooperation in a number of key areas including agribusiness, services and the automotive sector,” Mr Vaile said.

Indonesia is Australia’s 10^th largest trading partner, with two-way trade increasing to $8.5 billion in 2004. Key Australian exports are wheat, education services, cotton, live animals and aluminium.

During discussions, Mr Vaile will express concern about tariff increases under Indonesia’s new tariff policy, particularly on horticultural products.

In Japan, 19-20 April, Mr Vaile will be the first Australian Government Minister to visit the Australian Pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition Aichi.

During the visit, he will support the Pavilion's extensive business program by delivering a keynote address to a regional trade promotion event organised by Hastings Council (Port Macquarie). Mr Vaile will also open a new serviced office centre in Nagoya by Australian company Servcorp Pty Ltd and hold discussions with Toyota Motor Corporation.

Mr Vaile will stopover in Singapore on 21 April for talks with Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lim Hng Kiang.

“I will review progress of the Singapore Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) with Minister Lim following the first ministerial review held in July 2004 and discuss other ways of strengthening trade and investment ties,” Mr Vaile said.

Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN, and Australia’s 7^th largest trading partner overall, with total goods and services trade worth $14.33 billion in 2004.

Contact: Richard Forbes (Vaile's office) 02 6277 7420

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