Australian expertise for ASEAN's cities of the future

I am pleased to launch a new report highlighting some of the niche expertise that Australia's building industry can offer the ASEAN region as it rapidly undergoes urbanisation.

Produced by Austrade and the Green Building Council of Australia, Australian green building: developing a smart, sustainable ASEAN details how Australian firms can help the region's cities transition to a low-carbon future.

It highlights Australian capability across sustainable building design, materials, equipment, construction and management.

Taken as a whole, ASEAN is expected to become the world's third-largest economy by 2030. In that time it is also expected to add an extra 90 million residents to its cities.

Ranging from multinationals to boutique firms, Australian companies offer results, ranging from niche products to complete, end-to-end solutions. They can deliver buildings with lower operating costs, higher values and improved environmental and productivity outcomes.

Aimed at informing ASEAN's urban planners and developers, the report profiles companies and award-winning Green Star buildings that have helped establish Australia's reputation for excellence in the field.

Longstanding business ties also give Australian firms an understanding of regional business practices, making Australia an ideal partner for ASEAN.

The report was specially presented to members of the World Green Building Council Asia Network, visiting for the recent Green Building Council's Green Cities conference in Melbourne.

At last count, Australia's two-way trade with ASEAN amounted to $101 billion, more than with Japan or the United States. Two-way investment, at $224 billion at the end of 2016, was more than with China or New Zealand. The Turnbull Coalition Government is committed to growing trade and investment ties between both regions.

The report is available here: http://www.austrade.gov.au/aseangreenbuilding