The Federal Government is reviewing Australia’s free trade agreements (FTAs) in Southeast Asia to identify how they can better deliver for businesses and investors.
The review will assess gaps and opportunities to bolster trade and investment in Southeast Asian markets and examine if the rules and commitments in Australia’s FTAs remain relevant and fit-for-purpose.
Market access commitments will be examined to ensure they remain comprehensive and commercially meaningful for Australia and its Southeast Asian partners to maximise mutual economic benefits.
The Government’s Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2024, released in September 2023, predicts the Southeast Asian region will become the fourth largest economy by 2040, after the United States, China and India.
Reviewing the Southeast Asian FTA network was a recommendation of the strategy.
The Terms of Reference underpinning the review are now public.
Consultations commenced: feedback welcome
Austrade has started consulting with trade exposed stakeholders across Australia and will continue to do so throughout 2025.
It also welcomes views on emerging trade topics such as the green economy, digital economy and sustainable agriculture.
Austrade is seeking submissions from importers and exporters to inform the review.
Submissions close December 31, 2025.
Southeast Asia FTAs Modernisation Grant Program
The Government has allocated funds to support trade-exposed peak industry bodies and representative organisations that feed insights and industry priorities directly to government.
The Southeast Asia FTAs Modernisation Grant Program will help stakeholders undertake research and analysis to inform and make recommendations on Australia’s network of FTAs in Southeast Asia to 2040.
Grant activities will inform the Government’s review and the Trade 2040 Taskforce’s priority areas for upgrading Australia’s FTA network in Southeast Asia.
Grant applications close March 24, 2025.
For more Federal and State Government grants, see CCIWA’s Grant Finder.
If you are looking for support or advice in business, investment or trade, contact our experienced International Trade Services team at [email protected].
