Supporting trade for economic resilience and recovery in the region

Ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), the Australian Government announces its $2.9 million contribution to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF).

Australia’s contribution to the STDF helps developing and least-developed countries build capacity to participate in, and benefit from, the multilateral rules-based trading system.

The STDF assists developing countries implement quarantine standards to gain access to international agricultural markets.

This contribution builds on Australia’s long-standing support to help Indo-Pacific countries access the benefits of digital trade.

Australia’a $5.6 million E-Commerce Fund has helped over 850 small businesses in our region access the benefits of digital trade through e‑commerce skills development.

The Fund has supported draft e-commerce laws in Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, a one-stop national digital tourism booking platform in Vanuatu, and a mobile application to promote major commodity production and compliance in Vietnam.

The Australian Government is committed to supporting developing countries to enhance their ability to export, their international competitiveness, and their engagement in the global economy.

As we approach MC12, the Australian Government also reiterates its support for Timor-Leste’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“An effective, rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core is fundamental to the global economy – including the stability and prosperity of our region.

“Our priority is to ensure our partners can support their development goals by exercising their WTO rights and fulfilling their WTO obligations’”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell:

“Australia is one of the Standards and Trade Development Facility’s most active supporters.

“We are proud to be boosting support for countries in the Indo-Pacific region to access the benefits of the global agriculture market.”