13 February 2009
Breakthrough in measuring our links with Asia
Minister for Trade Simon Crean has launched a new index that measures our engagement with Asia over the past two decades.
For the first time, the Asialink Index measures in-depth our relationship with the Asian region, and individual countries.
The index found that since 1990 our engagement with Asia has increased four times. This compares with three times for the rest of the world, over the same period.
Engagement with ASEAN countries (Association of South-East Asian Nations) grew five times since 1990.
“This index is proof positive of our engagement with Asia and that our future lies in the region,” Mr Crean said.
The index found Australia’s links with China grew 16 times.
The index uses seven criteria to measure Australia’s broad engagement. The criteria are: trade, investment, research and development, education, tourism, migration and human assistance.
A negative finding of the index was the lack of investment by Australia in Asia.
Australian investment in Asia has increased slowly since 1990 and was dwarfed by the level of investment in the rest of the world. (For the year 2007, Australian investment in Asia was $14.2 billion compared to $67.5 billion for the rest of the world)
Mr Crean said the lack of the investment showed Australia needed to deepen its relationship with Asia.
“We need to engage more on a person-to-person level with Asia and part of the solution will be breaking down language barriers,” Mr Crean said.
In the 2008 Budget, the Rudd Labor Government committed $62.4 million over three years to boost Asian language classes in schools.
The index will be issued annually and will provide an update of Australia’s engagement with Asia.
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555