ASEAN-related Ministerial Meetings

This weekend I will visit the Philippines to advance Australia's trade and investment interests at ASEAN-related ministerial meetings. This will be an important opportunity to work with Indo-Pacific countries, including our major trading partners, to promote growth and prosperity in our region.

I will meet with trade and economic ministers from ASEAN and New Zealand to review the achievements of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, and discuss how we can continue to support regional growth. ASEAN accounts for around 14 per cent of Australia's total two-way trade.

I will also attend the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting to press for successful commercial outcomes. The RCEP Agreement would provide opportunities for Australian businesses by strengthening and simplifying the regional trade and investment environment. RCEP countries account for ten of Australia's top 15 trading partners and more than 30 per cent of global GDP.

During my visit, I will also hold bilateral discussions with my Indonesian and Hong Kong counterparts to advance negotiations on the Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA – CEPA) and the Hong Kong – Australia Free Trade Agreement.

The Turnbull Government is pursuing an ambitious trade agenda to create more Australian jobs and drive economic growth through increasing trade and investment.

At the East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting, I will reinforce Australia's support for open markets to underpin continued growth in our region.

I will also work with ASEAN Ministers to prepare for the historic ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney next year.