National Trade Survey 2016 Report Summary

The Australian Chamber’s National Trade Survey is an annual survey that gauges the attitudes of Australian international trade businesses on key trade issues. The National Trade Survey 2016, the third instalment of the survey, was conducted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the University of South Australia’s Australian Centre for Asian Business.

The quantitative component involved questionnaire responses from 202 international trade businesses, while a subsequent qualitative component involved 27 in-depth interviews with individual respondents.

Respondents were surveyed across seven categories: the profile of Australian international traders; the issues the most mattered to traders; administration; trade finance; the use and understanding of free trade agreements; preferred markets and FTAs; and trade support services.

The survey found that lack of understanding of free trade agreements, shortages of finance and excessive red tape were the main concerns.

It also found that a majority of respondents consider potential free trade agreements with India and Indonesia to be key government priorities.

Australia’s falling international competitiveness and a high exchange rate rounded out the main concerns for traders.