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Concluded Free Trade Agreements
Print this pageAustralia-United States Free Trade Agreement
The Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) was signed by the Australian Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, and the US Trade Representative, Bob Zoellick, on 18 May 2004.
Both Australia and the United States (US) have passed legislation giving effect to their respective commitments under the Agreement.
On 17 November 2004, Australia and the United States exchanged notes accepting each others' implementation processes for the Agreement and agreeing to bring the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement into force on 1 January 2005.
DCITA was involved in negotiating the telecommunications chapter in the Agreement. The telecommunications chapter provides greater certainty and transparency for Australian telecommunications companies wishing to operate in the US market.
DCITA is involved in implementing the electronic commerce chapter of AUSFTA. The electronic commerce chapter aims to reduce barriers to commerce, conducted electronically between Australia and the US.
DCITA was also involved in negotiating other aspects of the agreement, including audio-visual services, government procurement, competition policy and intellectual property.
Further information can be obtained from the 
AUSFTA website.
Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement
Negotiations with Thailand for a free trade agreement (FTA) were concluded in October 2003. As part of the agreement, Thailand has agreed to explore the scope for improving its commitments in a number of areas of priority interest to Australia. This includes negotiations on telecommunications services.
The Thailand-Australia FTA entered into force on 1 January 2005. The Agreement ensures greater access for Australian products, enhances prospects for services trade and investment, improves the regulatory environment and promotes increased business mobility.
DCITA is involved in implementing the electronic commerce chapter in the Agreement. The electronic commerce chapter aims to reduce barriers to commerce conducted electronically between Australia and Thailand, harmonise the electronic commerce regimes of the parties and provide opportunities for cooperation on e-commerce promotion and research activities.
The Thailand–Australia FTA substantially improves the environment for bilateral services, investment and business mobility. Thailand has agreed to relax a number of its restrictive conditions relating to visas and work permits and will guarantee non-discriminatory treatment of Australian investments in Thailand.
For more information please refer to the Thailand-Australia FTA website for more detail.
Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement
The Australia-Singapore FTA came into force on 28 July 2003.
DCITA was involved in negotiating the telecommunications chapter in the Agreement. The telecommunications chapter guarantees increased market access for Australian exporters of telecommunications services, as well as providing a more open and predictable business environment for Australian telecommunications operators in the Singaporean market.
DCITA is involved in implementing the electronic commerce chapter of the Agreement. The electronic commerce chapter aims to reduce barriers to commerce conducted electronically between Australia and Singapore, and harmonise the electronic commerce regimes of the parties.
The Australian and Singapore Trade Ministers met in Sydney on 28 July 2007 to jointly consider the implementation and outcomes of the agreement to date, and to examine how it may be further enhanced to promote improved trade and investment opportunities to mutual benefit. They also endorsed a forward work program of issues, including telecommunications, for officials to address with a view to identifying further improvements to the mutual benefit of both Australia and Singapore.
For more information please refer to the Singapore-Australia FTA website for more detail.
- Document ID: 71496 |
- Last modified: 5 February 2008, 7:55pm