Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Already our fourth-largest export market in 2024, India will be the world's third-largest economy by the end of the decade. There is significant untapped potential and much more to be done – including to update, adapt and refine our efforts. Submissions to the Australian Government’s new ‘Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India’ will close on 5 August. Don’t miss an opportunity to help guide the Government’s India economic priorities and strategy by making a submission. More information is available at https://lnkd.in/gqUQt8SH

Join DFAT’s International Trade Network (ITN) and be part of its next panel event on 'Reglobalisation and the Future of Trade' on 31 July. Hear leading experts and policy practitioners discuss the role international trade can play in addressing emerging challenges such as decarbonisation, the energy transition, growing industrial policy interventions and national security. ITN membership is open to trade professionals in Australia from the private sector, thinktanks, academia, the diplomatic corps, and government. Sign up to the ITN to receive future invitations to events and become part of the Network. Please visit: https://lnkd.in/eMRq_pmr

The Australia-Korea Foundation seeks to strengthen the Australia-Korea relationship in ways that enhance mutual understanding and people-to-people links. Grants support projects that help build and sustain professional, community and institutional linkages between our two countries. Applications are now open for 2024-25 priority areas including technological, scientific and education innovation, trade and business engagement or cross-cultural collaboration. Applications close 3.00 pm AEST Wednesday 21 August. For more information and to apply: https://lnkd.in/gbjeWWQ.

Released on 26 July, the text of a new agreement on electronic commerce follows five years of negotiations among a large and diverse group of World Trade Organization (WTO) Members, jointly convened by Australia, Japan and Singapore. President of the Australian Services Roundtable, Holly Dorber noted that ‘for all businesses, and especially Australian small and medium-sized enterprises, this deal will reduce the cost and complexity of international commerce and support trust and security for consumers.’ The next phase of our work will include integrating these first-ever rules into the broader WTO system Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXREMfzB

DFAT and Enterprise Singapore invite Australian small and medium enterprises to attend the information session for round 2 of the Go-Green Co-Innovation Program (GGCIP) on 21 August. GGCIP is a key initiative under the Singapore Australia Green Economy Agreement and offers grants to fund the development of products, services and solutions that support Singapore and Australia to transition to net zero emissions. For further details on the program and information session or to register visit: https://lnkd.in/gU5Mn4qD Australian High Commission, Singapore

Australia is expanding its media engagement and support in the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia through the Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy. The Strategy will support the creation and sharing of Australian content with audiences, and expands our engagement with regional media, for a strong and independent media. Work is already underway. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) continues to develop and deliver content for and about the region and improve capacity support for media partners. In addition to existing media development initiatives, DFAT is also making new investments. We are establishing a $14.6 million Indo-Pacific Media Fund and have expanded Pacific engagement by the Australian Associated Press (AAP). Read more about the Strategy here: https://lnkd.in/g6KSQm9K

This year's NAIDOC Week theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning – Blak, Loud and Proud’ honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations cultures. DFAT staff and diplomatic corps gathered outside the R.G. Casey building as Elder Uncle Warren Daley welcomed them onto Ngunnawal country and the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags were raised. Fire is a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Indonesia and Vietnam are rapidly digitising and seeking technology solutions aligned with government priorities.   Last week Ms Louise Adams, Australia’s Business Champion for Vietnam, Ms Jennifer Westacott AO, Australia’s Business Champion for Indonesia, and Australia’s Special Envoy for Southeast Asia, Nicholas Moore AO, visited Vietnam and Indonesia to meet with local business leaders and government to discuss two-way trade and investment opportunities.   Australia’s Business Champions and Special Envoy for Southeast Asia also launched Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)’s Landing Pads in Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City.   The Landing Pads will work with technology companies to gain market insights, explore expansion strategies, connect with in-market networks and venture capitals.

Australia values its deep and enduring engagement with the European Union to support Pacific and Southeast Asian partners’ aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous region. DFAT Deputy Secretary Rod Brazier met with the European Union’s Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships, Myriam Ferran, while in Brussels for the EU-Australia Development Dialogue. Together they discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation with Pacific and Southeast Asian regional partners to fulfil their economic and development priorities and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships are an Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) initiative which teams the Australian Government up with businesses to deliver sustainable renewable energy solutions within remote and rural communities in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.    Seven new Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnerships were recently announced to power up remote and rural areas with off-grid renewable energy.   The Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships include solar energy for remote school communities, strengthening and empowering women to access clean energy, energy security for healthcare and even establishing renewable-energy powered coffee hubs. The total investment in these projects is now $4.3 million across six countries in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, including $2.8 million by the Australian Government.