Trade update | 9 June 2023

Australian Export Awards 

Applications for the Australian Export Awards close in June.

For your opportunity to advance as a finalist in the national program, apply in your local state or territory export awards and win in one of the 13 national categories to automatically progress. 

Australian Export Awards will be awarded in the following categories: 

1. Advanced technologies 
2. Agribusiness, food and beverages
3. Creative industries 
4. E-Commerce 
5. Emerging exporter 
6. International education and training  
7. International health 
8. Manufacturing and advanced materials 
9. Professional services 
10. Regional exporter 
11. Resources and energy 
12. Small business 
13. Sustainability and green economy 

National finalists will gather with leaders from industry and government for an award ceremony at Parliament House in November, where Australian Export Award winners are announced and one is named the 61st Australian Exporter of the Year.  

ACCI is a judging partner of this year’s awards, continuing our long association with the Australian Export Awards. This builds upon the contributions many chambers make to their respective state and territory awards. 

Apply today for your chance to be internationally recognised as one of the best in the Australian export community.

Trade Minister in Europe

Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell is in Europe this week to progress the negotiations for the Australia – European Union Free Trade Agreement meeting with European Commission executive vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis and EU commissioner for agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski. 

In France, accompanied by the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tim Ayres, Don Farrell will lead Australia’s delegation attending the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting and host Australia’s annual informal gathering of key World Trade Organisations to shape expectations for a successful 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February 2024. 

Read the full media release. 

With a mid-2023 outcome ahead of EU parliament elections and looking challenging, Don Farrell had commented that the “EU trade talks have reached a difficult stage and that Australia is not going to do with the or just for the sake of doing a deal, it’s got to be in Australia’s interests as well as being in the EU’s interests.” 

Business Chamber Queensland presents opportunities to India  

Business Chamber Queensland  delivered a session highlighting the export opportunities in the Indian market with Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IA-ECTA) in force and ongoing negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). 

On  May 23, Business Chamber Queensland delivered ‘Share your business with the world: export opportunities to India, IA-ECTA and beyond’ providing background information of India – Australia IA-ECTA since it entered into force late December and what the future holds for goods and services exporters CECA negotiations in place. 

The event was in partnership with Brisbane Business Hub, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Trade and Investment Queensland, and was supported by Asia Link, and had an attendance of 40 companies. 

The panel was moderated by Business Chamber Queensland trade manager Diana Gueorguieva and the panellists included Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chief negotiator India FTA, first assistant secretary Frances Lisson, DFAT assistant director in the Free Trade Agreement Goods Branch Emma Logan, Queensland senior trade and investment commissioner Abhinav Bhatia and adviser strategic partnerships at Redland City Council Jinendra Khara. 

Points discussed include the importance of trade between the two nations, practical experience with IA-ECTA since coming into force, CECA negotiations and IA-ECTA Certificates of Origin and more.   

As free trade agreements are covering more and more of Australia’s trade profile, ACCI’s state and territory chamber network continue to assist Australian businesses on a smooth journey into foreign markets by providing advice on export documentations such as Certificates of Origin, ATA carnets and more.

Find out more about ACCI’s state and territory chambers here and click here to view the presentation slides.