Trade and International Affairs

10 May 2024

2024 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting  

Last week, Business at OECD (BIAC) participated in the OECD’s 2024 Ministerial Council Meeting to discuss the current Economic Outlook paper, strategic priorities and key OECD standards and deliverables to be adopted in 2024. The discussions were led by BIAC Chair Rick Johnston and joined by BIAC Executive Board Member Phil Aiken AM. 

The key business priorities in the discussions were: 

  • Sustainable Inclusive Economic Growth 
  • Free, Resilient Trade & Investment 
  • Global Outreach & Credible Standards 
  • Digital & Green Transitions 

The Australian Government was represented at the meeting by Assistant Trade Minister Tim Ayres and Australian Ambassador to the OECD Brendan Pearson. Phil Aiken AM also met with the Australian Government representatives to brief them on Australian businesses.  

Click here to read the 2024 Ministerial Council Statement and here to read Australia’s economic outlook in 2024 and 2025, which forecasts that Australia’s real GDP growth is projected to slow to 1.5 per cent in 2024 before recovering to 2.2 per cent in 2025 and interest rates will continue to damp spending by households and businesses over the coming year. 

IORA Business Conclave 2024 

Members are invited to join the IORA Business Conclave 2024 to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 28 – 29 May. This event is being co-organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The conference will explore the theme “Sustaining Growth – Bridging Horizons”, and will bring together 35 countries in the IORA region and beyond. Delegates will have the opportunity to meet with businesses in the following industries:

  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Agriculture
  • Logistic, Tourism
  • Renewable Energy
  • SME Development
  • Womens’ Empowerment 

ACCI Head of Business Development and International Trade Chris Barnes will be attending the conference as the Australian representative to Indian Ocean Rim Business forum. If members have suggestions of topics to be included in ACCI’s remarks, please contact ACCI Team by Wednesday 22 May.  

If you are interested in attending the conference, register here.







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