APEC Ministerial Meeting

This week I will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

At APEC I expect to conclude the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement. This will create new opportunities for Australian exporters and send an important message to the world – Australia embraces trade because it underpins our economic success, creates new jobs and drives growth.

During APEC I will continue to advocate Australia's strong commitment to economic openness and encourage further trade liberalisation. Australia's longstanding openness to international markets has created thousands of jobs and contributed to our 26 years of continuous economic growth.

I also look forward to meeting ministers from Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries to work on bringing the TPP-11 into force as quickly as possible.

Bringing the TPP-11 into force would give Australian businesses improved access to a trade zone with a combined GDP of $12.4 trillion. It would also further integrate the Australian economy into the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.

I will also meet with my ministerial counterparts at APEC to further the Turnbull Coalition Government's ambitious trade agenda.

APEC accounts for almost half of global trade and 60 per cent of world GDP. It plays an important role in promoting open trade and investment.

Australia's participation in APEC strengthens our economic relationships and enhances export opportunities, economic growth and job creation for the Australian economy.