KUALA LUMPUR: Australia will continue keeping its markets open to Asean and remain a reliable partner, says Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
She said Australia will stand by its trade markets and make them stronger, citing an upgrade of the Asean-Australia- New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
“Australia has opened up our economy to the region and world long ago. My predecessors dismantled tariff barriers, and I can assure you that this will not change.
“Our markets will remain open to you,” she said in her address at an Australia and Southeast Asia forum here on Thursday (July 10).
Wong said Asean economies are also Australia’s second-largest trading partner.
“And when it comes to Southeast Asia, Australia remains fully invested, implementing over half a billion dollars in initiatives announced at the Asean-Australia Special Summit last year, working together on issues that matter to both of us.
“Through Australia's Southeast Asia economic strategy, we look to build even more opportunity and prosperity together in energy security, climate resilience, education and beyond,” she said.
She also said Australia’s investments and engagements will keep prioritising climate change and supporting the clean energy transition in the region as a shared priority.
According to Wong, some 700,000 students from Southeast Asia have also benefited from a world-class education in Australia for over 20 years, with the region now accounting for about one-fifth of international students in Australia.
“These are the ways in which Australia is listening to what matters to Asean and delivering on shared priorities.
“And I can say to you that Australia will remain consistent in this approach.
“We will be a reliable partner you can count on,” she said.
Wong is currently in Malaysia to attend various meetings under the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings.
