Member for Barker, Tony Pasin has today welcomed the news that negotiations have concluded on the Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with zero tariffs to be locked in for Australian agricultural exports to Hong Kong.
“This is fantastic news for our farmers in Barker,” said Mr Pasin.
Top Aussie exports to Hong Kong include meat and livestock ($167 million) seafood ($159 million) and wine ($131 million).
“These are all important industries for Barker that are sure to feel the benefits.”
“Australia, and more specifically Barker, is known for its clean, green, world-class produce. Meat, livestock, seafood and wine are some of our most valuable exports and we can now provide certainty to these industries into Hong Kong with this deal.”
“Hong Kong is also a major gateway to the rest of East Asia and gives our farmers a way to tap into other markets.”
“Our Government is delivering new markets and better tariffs for our farmers,” Mr Pasin said.
The Australia–Hong Kong agriculture, fisheries and forestry trade relationship was worth $1.4 billion to Australia in 2017–18.
According to ABARES, agriculture, fisheries and forestry contributed more than $53.8 billion in export earnings in FY2017–18, which is up by over $12 billion from $41.3 billion in FY2012–13.
Australian agriculture continues to benefit from FTAs signed with China (ChAFTA), Korea (KAFTA), Japan (JAEPA) and Peru (PAFTA) and will be a key beneficiary from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP-11).
Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466
