Australia
Open for Business
Sunday, 13 April 2014
I want to report to you on
Australia’s trade mission to North Asia.
More trade is part of the
Government’s plan for a strong and prosperous economy. More trade means more jobs and when trade
barriers fall, prices fall with them – and that is good news for families.
This trade mission has been a
success – and a testimony to what we can do as a nation.
In Japan, we successfully
concluded negotiations for a Free Trade
Agreement.
In Korea, we signed a Free Trade Agreement.
And in China, I was accompanied
by the Foreign Minister, the Trade Minister, the Small Business Minister, five
state premiers, one Chief Minister and 30 of our country’s most senior chairmen
and CEOs – and we were joined by hundreds of business people in participating
in the first ever Australia Week in China.
With a combined population of 1.5
billion people and a GDP combined of $15 trillion, China, Japan, and Korea
collectively offer great opportunities for our country and our businesses.
In all three countries I updated
leaders about the search for the missing MH370 aircraft because along with
other nations, China, Japan and Korea are working with us to solve this
terrible mystery. This cooperation is a
powerful reminder that the countries of our region can achieve so much more
together than apart.
So it has been an important week
for our country. My hope is that in the
years ahead, Australians will see first-hand the benefits of closer, freer
trade with Asia – through more jobs, more affordable goods and services and
even closer bonds with our North Asian friends and neighbours. |
