Media Releases

Leading industry associations the Export Council of Australia (ECA) and the Australian Digital Commerce Association (ADCA), alongside KPMG, have today released a paper calling for the Australian Government and industry to come together to plan for a digitally-enabled trading future.

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA'S TRADE

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) welcomes Jason Clare’s speech ‘Trade in an Asian Century and the Age of Trump’. Non-tariff measures—regulations other than tariffs that restrict trade (like customs processes, product registration or professional licences)—are a growing burden on Australian exporters. ‘As Australia’s FTA network grows, and the burden of tariffs ease, more Australian exporters are being challenged by non-tariff measures,’ said ECA CEO Lisa McAuley.

Leading industry and export businesses have been announced at the Western Australian Industry & Export Awards, which were held at the Hyatt Regency, Perth last night (Thursday 26 October 2017). Epichem has taken out the top prize of the evening – the Western Australian Exporter of the Year Award – as well as the Health and Biotechnology award. 

Leading export businesses have been announced at the 2017 Premier’s NSW Export Awards, which were held at the Star last night (Wednesday 25 October 2017). Soprano Design has taken out the top prize of the evening – the Premier’s NSW Exporter of the Year Award – as well as the Digital Technologies award.

Leading export businesses have been announced at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, which were held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight (Thursday 19 October 2017).

The future contours of the Australia-United Kingdom trade relationship are cloudier now than at any point during the post-Brexit referendum period, making it exceedingly difficult for businesses to plan for our future relationship.

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) would like to congratulate the finalists announced for the 2017 NSW Premier’s Export Awards. As exporters from across the state compete for 12 industry categories & 7 state categories, the program celebrates business excellence in international trade.

The Export Council of Australia would like to congratulate those businesses nominated as finalists for the 2017 Western Australian Industry & Export Awards. The Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Mark McGowan MLA, announced the finalists vying to be recognised for their excellence and contribution to the state, across 15 Export and 4 Industry award categories.

The Export Council of Australia would like to congratulate the finalists announced for the 2017 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards. As exporters from across the state compete for 12 industry categories the program celebrates business excellence in international trade.

“The QLD Export Awards are about rewarding businesses that have shown a commitment and determination to grow their global business and who, against adversity, seek new innovative ways to compete on the international stage,” said Lisa McAuley, CEO of the Export Council of Australia (ECA). 

“Any ‘Buy Queensland’ policies must be consistent with Australia’s international trade commitments,” said Lisa McAuley, CEO of the Export Council of Australia (ECA). “Otherwise they will undermine Australia’s international credibility and risk retaliation.”

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) clarifies it is not calling on the government to move policy responsibility for customs and visas to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but for this to be considered as an option.

‘Facilitating the smooth flow of goods and people is critically important for Australia’s international competitiveness’ said Lisa McAuley, CEO of the Export Council of Australia (ECA). ‘We need to ensure they are seen from an economic perspective, not just through a security prism.’

The Agreement means Australian exporters will benefit from new trade facilitation measures, such as reduced examination requirements and prioritised clearance, in Hong Kong.

“The signing of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is an important commitment for Australia and Hong Kong to co-operate on important economic and trade issues,” says Export Council of Australia (ECA) CEO Lisa McAuley. “This will improve trade-related opportunities between our two economies by addressing regulatory reform and easing trade facilitation for Australian companies moving goods through Hong Kong.”

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) welcomes the announcement of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Pacific Alliance, announced on Saturday by Minster for Trade, Tourism and Investment the Hon Steven Ciobo MP. “We are pleased that the government is seeking new opportunities for Australian companies in Latin America by enhancing and reinforcing Australia’s market access in Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Chile,” says ECA CEO Lisa McAuley.

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) welcomes the release of the 2017 Lowy Institute Poll.

‘There are a lot of positives to take away from this poll’ said Lisa McAuley, CEO of the ECA. ‘But it also highlights that the government and business leaders cannot take public support for granted.’

Australians expressed support for globalisation in record numbers, with 78 per cent saying it was mostly good for Australia. And two out of three Australians recognised that free trade benefited their standard of living and the Australian economy overall.

It was rather disappointing yesterday to find out that Australia has slipped from 17 to 21 in the IMD World Competitiveness Rankings, falling outside the top 20 nations for the first time since 1996.

Over four years ago, as part of the ECA’s 2013 Trade Policy Recommendations, the Export Council of Australia (ECA) highlighted the need for government to develop and prioritise policies that will result in a reduction of red and green tape, eliminating duplication and lowering the facilitation costs associated with trade. The goal was to ensure that Government was taking necessary steps to streamline regulation that inhibits the ability of Australian companies to compete internationally.

There are under 300 Australian businesses exporting more than $100 million of goods each year. This is less than 1% of all Australian businesses, yet they account for over 80% of Australia’s exports.