Australia PM to visit Japan, S.Korea and China in April

CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced at a press conference here Monday that he will visit Japan, South Korea and China in April to boost trade and economic growth.

He said that Japan, Korea and China represent 40 percent of Australia's total two-way trade in goods and services valued at 250 billion AU dollars (223 billion US dollars). He reaffirmed the importance of the three key Free Trade Agreements with Japan, Korea and China.

"I said on election night that Australia is 'open for business' and I committed to driving the finalization of three key Free Trade Agreements with Japan, Korea and China," he said. "The prosperity of our country and other countries in our region depends on increased trade and investment."

Abbott said those negotiations are "well advanced" and he hopes to sign the Korean Free Trade Agreement during his visit next month. And he also hopes to "substantially advance" the Australia- Japan Free Trade Agreement in Tokyo.

"And we are still hopeful of finalizing an Australia-China Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year," he said.

Abbott also announced that Trade Minister Andrew Robb will lead a major trade delegation to China in April. He said 350 businesses already have registered their interest in joining the delegation.

"This will be the largest ever Commonwealth-sponsored trade delegation," he said. "I encourage Australian businesses small, medium and large with an interest in China, Korea and Japan to take the opportunity and join this ministerial trade delegation." A key activity will be the inaugural Australia Week in China with key business delegation activities scheduled for April 8-11. This will be one of the largest promotions of Australia ever held in China.

Australia Week in China aims to promote trade, investment, tourism and education partnerships through a program tailored to major industry sectors. Events will be held across the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou, he said.

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