Media Releases

‘After almost a decade of negotiations, it’s important to finally turn the TPP into reality’ said Heath Baker, Head of Policy for the Export Council of Australia.

The Export Council of Australia welcomes the conclusion of negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Even without the United States, the TPP will provide significant new and improved market access for Australian exporters.

Argentina is two years into social and economic reform program aimed at modernising its economy and reducing obstacles to foreign trade and investment, making it an easier place to do business for Australian companies. Australia is no stranger to Argentina’s renaissance and through the Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s (Austrade) market strategy it has awakened the business opportunities that span various industries, from energy and resources to the digital economy.

The results of Australia’s International Business Survey 2017 (AIBS 2017), the fourth in a series of studies of Australia's international business activity, are now available and highlight the positive impact that Australia’s growing network of free trade agreements (FTAs) are having on Australian trade. Commissioned by the Export Council of Australia (ECA) with the support of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (Efic), and analysed by UTS Business School, AIBS 2017 is one of the country’s largest and most in-depth surveys of internationally-active Australian businesses.

Open, transparent and rules-based international trade are critical to Australia’s economic prosperity. The Export Council of Australia (ECA) therefore applauds the Australian government’s leading efforts in establishing a work program to set rules for digital trade at the 11th World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC11) this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

‘The Foreign Policy White Paper says all the right things’ said Export Council of Australia (ECA) CEO Lisa McAuley. ‘But the value of the paper will be determined by whether they’re put into action. ‘We endorse the five objectives the government announced in the White Paper. Australia’s future prosperity depends on a prosperous and secure region, its citizens remaining safe, secure and free, emphatically rejecting protectionism, growing international opportunities for its businesses and an international system governed by rules.

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) is pleased to see the revitalised eleven-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership has progressed further with the recent announcement in Da Nang, Vietnam.

The Export Council of Australia (ECA), in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australia Awards, are hosting a delegation of female small business owners from across the Pacific in Australia from 12-24 November.

‘We welcome the news that Australia has concluded its FTA negotiations with Peru,’ said Lisa McAuley, CEO of the Export Council of Australia (ECA). ‘The ECA supports the principle of expanding Australia’s FTA network by entering into high quality agreements,’ Ms McAuley said. ‘While multilateral agreements are best, and multi-country agreements such as the TPP are second-best, there can also be value in bilateral deals with countries like Peru.’ 

PAFTA OUTCOMES

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.