Local businesses can hear how to access the benefits of Australia\u2019s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with North Asia during a seminar in Sale on 24 November, Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment Keith Pitt said today.<\/p>\n
Federal Member for Gippsland and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester will host the free event, beginning at 9am at the Matador Motel, Sale.<\/p>\n
Lachlan McKinnon, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Eels Australia, will also attend, discussing the positive impact of lower tariff barriers on his firm\u2019s exports.<\/p>\n
Since the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA), the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement and the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement entered into force, significant and ongoing tariff reductions have provided advantages for many Australian products and services exported to these markets.<\/p>\n
Mr Pitt said a whole range of industries in the region could benefit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralian products now receive preferential access to more than a billion potential customers in China, Japan and Korea thanks to provisions negotiated by the Australian Government,\u201d Mr Pitt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI encourage anyone in business locally to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as hearing from Mr Chester and Mr McKinnon, attendees will receive practical exporting advice from representatives of Austrade, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), TradeStart and AusIndustry.<\/p>\n
Mr Chester said the region\u2019s economy was well positioned to supply to the markets of North Asia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese FTAs have delivered real gains for our exporters,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTariffs on Australian beef entering China and Korea, for example, have fallen significantly and Australia is currently the only major beef producer with preferential access to Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are plenty of advantages for other industries too and I want to give local businesses, especially small and medium-sized firms all the information they need to pursue them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Austrade and DFAT are running a series of North Asia FTA seminars across all Australian states and territories. Since March 2015, 85 seminars have been delivered around Australia.<\/p>\n