Australia launches economic diplomacy policy

The launch of the economic diplomacy policy. Pic: Lowy Institute

Tuesday 19 August 2014

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade Minister Andrew Robb launched the Australian Government's economic diplomacy agenda in Sydney on Monday.

The agenda is designed to boost trade, investment and tourism, enhance Australia's overseas development efforts, and achieve broader foreign policy goals.

Minister Bishop said economic diplomacy would boost both Australia’s prosperity and global prosperity.

“The global economy is a highly competitive space and sustaining Australia’s position as the 12th largest economy globally requires strong international engagement,” Minister Bishop said.

“Today we have launched two charters that set out the expertise on offer to Australian businesses and State and Territory Governments from DFAT, Austrade, Tourism Australia, the Export Finance Insurance Corporation and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.”

Both Ministers, together with Defence Minister David Johnston, will be in Singapore later this week for the biennial Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC), which provides an opportunity for Ministers to reflect upon the longevity, strength and substance of the Australia-Singapore relationship, and consider ways in which the two countries might increase bilateral collaboration.

Read the joint media release from the Foreign Minister and the Trade Minister: http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2014/jb_mr_140818.aspx.

Read a transcript of the Foreign Minister's address at the launch: http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/speeches/Pages/2014/jb_sp_140818.aspx?ministerid=4.

The event took place at the Lowy Institute for International Policy, one of Australia's leading independent think tanks.

For more information about the economic diplomacy agenda, visit: www.dfat.gov.au/trade/economic-diplomacy.