Visit to Singapore and Papua New Guinea

I will visit Singapore from 12-14 November to attend the Second Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Summit with the Prime Minister.

RCEP provides an opportunity to further strengthen the regional trade and investment environment and further integrate Australia within the region. RCEP countries account for ten of Australia's top 15 trading partners and more than 30 per cent of global GDP.

I look forward to progressing negotiations with my counterparts on a high-quality agreement which is in the best interests of Australian farmers and businesses and provides them with greater market access opportunities in the region.

In addition to the RCEP Summit, I look forward to holding a series of bilateral discussions with regional counterparts and meeting representatives of Australian companies operating in Singapore.

Following my participation at the RCEP Summit, I will travel to Papua New Guinea together with Foreign Minister Marise Payne for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting (AMM).

Our representation is important given 12 of our top 15 trading partners are APEC economies, accounting for almost half of the world's trade in goods and services.

APEC is a vital platform to continue to drive sustainable and inclusive economic growth within the region. Australia will use APEC to continue to advocate for the continuation of a global rules-based multilateral trading system, and to advance global rules on digital trade.

The Liberal-National Government continues to pursue an ambitious trade agenda that helps our businesses get the best possible access to new export markets which helps strengthen our economy and creates more jobs.