WTO Government Procurement Agreement accession

Australia received support to join the World TradeOrganization Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) overnight, followingalmost three years of negotiations under a Coalition Government.

The GPA is a significant international tradeagreement that will open the door for Australian businesses to governmentprocurement markets estimated to be worth more than US$1.7 trillion.

Australian participation in the GPA will guaranteeour exporters and service suppliers the right to compete on an equal basis inmany large foreign government procurement markets. This will make it easier forAustralian businesses to sell their products and services to the world.

The GPA will unlock new opportunities for Australianbusinesses to bid for government procurement contracts for a wide range ofgoods and services offered by the governments of GPA members. This will includeareas of Australia's top export strengths, such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals,construction and financial services.

The GPA comprises 47 economies and current membersinclude the EU's 28 Member States, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, theUnited States, Ukraine, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Norway,Singapore, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Taiwan. Membership of the GPA iscontinuing to expand with nine additional parties currently in negotiations tojoin, including China and Russia.

GPA members will now commence formal procedures towelcome Australia as a member. Once GPA members formally agree to Australia'saccession – expected by the end of 2018 – Australia will begin domestictreaty-making processes to join the GPA.

Australia already enjoys a world-class governmentprocurement system that is open, competitive and in line with the principles ofthe GPA.

The Turnbull Government is pursuing Australia's mostambitious trade agenda to create new jobs and drive economic growth.