The Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Craig Laundy, is visiting counterparts in China this week to discuss opportunities to improve trade between both nations.
Mr Laundy will give the keynote address at the China Quality Conference on 15 September on the important role quality infrastructure plays in facilitating international trade.
“Improving the robustness of infrastructure helps to improve public policy and enhance the trading opportunities for firms,” Mr Laundy said.
He will also meet with China’s Minister for the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Mr Zhi Shuping, to discuss a range of issues related to trade, standards and conformance.
“China is Australia’s largest two-way trading partner in goods and services, with this trade valued at more than $155 billion in 2016,” he said.
“The Australian Government is focused on putting in place the right frameworks to strengthen this relationship and help more businesses trade internationally with important partners like China.”
Mr Laundy said the China–Australia Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on 20 December 2015, had been important for unlocking significant trade opportunities for our two countries.
He also said China’s vast and growing middle class was transforming the economic relationship between both countries.
“China’s discerning middle class is well placed to enjoy the trusted and safe, high-quality food, beverages, goods and services that Australia produces,” Mr Laundy said.
“This present a tremendous opportunity for Australian businesses to capitalise on an exciting and rapidly expanding market.
“Australia looks forward to continuing to work closely with China to progress our shared objective of reducing the cost of trade to business and providing safe products for consumers.”