Global Trade Updates

Asia has been under pressure following tighter global liquidity in 2018. Coface’s index for measuring relative vulnerability to outflows points to increasing divergence in Asia. A few markets will benefit from strong fundamentals, proactive monetary policies and ample buffers to resist outflows but others will be under pressure. Above all, the relative sustainability of the real external position is the most significant factor. Lastly, countries that do not possess flexible exchange rate regimes may struggle to smooth out currency fluctuations.

The ECA is pleased to launch a series of webinars that will assist you to understand a range of international trade topics, including e-commerce for International Markets, Free Trade Agreements, making the most of the TPP11, understanding Incoterms, and Proof of Origin declaration. These webinars are aimed at providing a snapshot of the fundamentals of each of these topics, and are ideal as a starting point on your international business journey.

This edition of policy corner provides an update on the ECA members-only luncheon with Labor’s Shadow Minister for Trade, Jason Clare. It gives you advice to help you get ready for some big changes on the horizon: the TPP-11, a possible no-deal Brexit and changes to air cargo security requirements. Plus the launch of the government’s non-tariff barrier action plan and its proposed biosecurity levy.

To better understand the corporate credit risk status in Australia, Coface conducts the 8th Survey of Corporate Credit Risk Management in Asia Pacific in 2018. You are cordially invited to participate. By completing this brief survey, you will go into the draw to win a $500 David Jones gift card. 

Improving business conditions in Emerging Asia, which account for 45% of Australia’s goods and service exports, are positive for Australian exporters. India has shot up the World Bank’s annual Ease of Doing Business (EDB) rankings, climbing 23 spots to 77th out of 190 countries in the last 12 months.

As the 56th Australian Export Awards season comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the impact they are having globally.

Have you got a brilliant new idea for an online business? Or have you already launched a tech startup and you’re looking opportunities to take your technology abroad? The value that you build in your digital business is worth protecting.

In the third quarter of 2018, after two years of improvement, French companies experienced a reversal of the trend with the number of insolvencies increasing by +2.3% (compared to the same quarter of 2017), in line with the slowdown in growth (1.6% in 2018) and consumption.

Do-it-yourself (DIY), perhaps even more than rugby, is Australia’s great passion. Bunnings is a temple to Aussies love affair with making and fixing things by ourselves. While this approach might be OK if you’re tiling a bathroom it leads to major problems in business, and the bigger the business the bigger the problems.

ECA CEO, Alina Bain, attended the summit in Papua New Guinea in mid-November to champion Australian SMEs and take the temperature of attending APEC leaders, CEOs and global experts on vital issues impacting Aussie businesses. 

Aspen Medical and SEAPA have been awarded the prestigious Australian Exporter of the Year award. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham announced the 2018 Australian Export Award winners at a ceremony in Canberra last night.

After a decade of negotiations, 30 December 2018 is the start date for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11).

The Liberal-National Government has today welcomed new data showing Australia’s services exports reached a record $88.0 billion in 2017-18.

It’s Thanksgiving in the USA, a time for food, football and family. If you’re thinking about expanding your business and entering the US market, it’s important to understand how to protect your brand while you’re there.
To assist Australian businesses entering the United States (US) market, IP Australia has created a suite of resources, starting with trade marks. This new content highlights the important steps businesses should take before they expand into the US.

HSBC has recently launched 17 new International Business Guides which provide business leaders with key facts and insights on doing business in countries and territories around the world.

“Manufacturing” conjures up images of machines, production lines and products. In the past, the value of a manufacturing company lay primary in its tangible assets such as land, buildings and equipment. However times have changed. Today, the real value of a manufacturer is more likely to lie in its intangible assets such as the industrial know-how, systems and processes that keeps such organisations running safely, efficiently and competitively.

We are seeking expressions of interest from individuals who have experience in International Trade and are looking for casual and contract presenting positions with the ECA.

Regional Development Australia Sydney, Camden Region Economic Taskforce & NSW Department of Industry invite you to a free “Building Export Capability for Small to Medium Enterprises” workshop to be held at Camden Council on 22 November 2018. 

Rising trade tensions, ongoing geo-political ructions and tighter financing conditions saw the IMF cut its global growth forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 3.7% per annum in 2018 and 2019. While the global economy remains on track to match last year’s performance, which was the strongest pace of growth since 2011, this was the first IMF downgrade in more than two years.

Have your say through our consultations process and join the growing number of individuals, businesses and chambers that have provided detailed input so far.

Did you know 1 in 3 Australian businesses with Asian operations make more than 40% of their revenue from Asia? Have you thought about exporting to other international markets? Do you know how to get started? Visit ANZ Be Trade Ready, a digital tool developed in collaboration with the Export Council of Australia, to enable Australian businesses to research, plan and prepare for international expansion.

Exporters, businesses looking for funding, family offices, fund managers and professional services are invited to join the mission to the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) and Asia Family Office (AFO) conferences as well as our tailored itinerary including a trip to Shenzhen.

With a long and varied career in the fashion industry, Lee Mathews began her self-named business by hand-making her own clothes and selling them to her circle of friends.

The Global Trade Accelerator Program (GTA) is a virtual program enabling NSW-based exporters and trade professionals to gain market research advice from teams of international university students.

The Export Council of Australia (ECA) welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement to bring forward a review of port regulatory pricing and charges.

Nineteen New South Wales businesses have been recognised and celebrated for their outstanding success and contribution to the state’s trade output at the Premier’s New South Wales Export Awards which were held at the Star last night (Wednesday 24 October 2018).

It’s official! Another 12 businesses have joined the prestigious list of Western Australia’s best at this year's 30th Western Australian Industry & Export Awards. In the presence of peers from the international business community, winners of this year’s awards were announced at a gala ceremony on Thursday 18 October 2018.  

It’s been more than a decade in the making. And it’s been the subject of heated debate between supporters and opponents since it was first mooted. But finally, the TPP-11 or Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership as it is more formally known, is now set in stone.

Sixteen Queensland businesses have been recognised and celebrated for their outstanding success and contribution to the state’s trade output at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards which were held at the Hilton Brisbane last night (Thursday 11 October 2018).

In Efic’s latest economic update – the AUD and potential impact on exporter outlook.