Gippsland farmers and business owners are being urged to capitalise on Free Trade Agreements in Asia where there is high demand for Australian products, according to local MP Darren Chester.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland told a forum in Sale that he was focused on improving transport links to get products to market as cost effectively as possible.
The forum was attended by businesses from across east Gippsland, Wellington and the Latrobe Valley, with support on site from Austrade, TradeStart and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Australia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with North Asia were a key focus.
Guest speaker was Chief Executive Officer of Southern Eels Australia Lachlan McKinnon, Chief who shared his export experience and the impacts of lower tariff barriers.
Mr Chester said the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement and the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement had already delivered significant tariff reductions which provided new export opportunities for a range of local products.
“Some businesses are already exporting from Gippsland and creating local jobs but I’m confident that can grow in the future,” Mr Chester said.
“It’s important that farmers and business owners access the support which is available to help them break into international markets.”
