Hotline: +84 243 869 1980

General news

FTA with Indonesia a boost for drought-affected farmers: Aussie PM

Update: Sep 26, 2020 - 13:54 (GMT+7)

Diem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVETDiem Uyen – HUPHAVET

FTA with Indonesia a boost for drought-affected farmers: Aussie PM
Hay prices have skyrocketed in southeastern Australia due to a severe drought. (Photo: Reuters)

Australia's free trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia will provide a boost for struggling farmers, according to the nation's Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham concluded trade negotiations with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta on August 31, bringing eight years of negotiations to an end.

Under the deal, which will be signed by leaders of both countries in November, 99 percent of Australian goods exported to Indonesia will not be subjected to tariffs.

It comes at a time when Australian farmers are under intense pressure from the nation's worst drought in 50 years.

"A renewed economic partnership with Indonesia is particularly a major boost for Australian farmers with the grains, live cattle, dairy and horticulture sectors to benefit from greater certainty of access and lower tariffs," Morrison and Birmingham said in a joint statement on September 1.

"As a result, Australian farmers will be able to export 500,000 tonnes of feed grains such as wheat into Indonesia tariff free. This is a significant boost for the Australian wheat industry, building on our substantial milling wheat exports."

Indonesia was only Australia's 13th largest two-way trade partner in 2017 despite the two nations being close neighbours.

Speaking in the wake of the announcement on August 31, Morrison said the relationship between the two countries was "underdone".

"It is a massive win-win. I mean, this is a skills transfer and sharing. This is building up capabilities within economies," he said.

"That is the part of the relationship where we need to do some more heavy lifting, the economic relationship."

Xinhua


Maybe you are interested

Swiftlet farming for bird nests help Tây Nguyên farmers prosper
Swiftlet farming for bird nests help Tây Nguyên farmers prosper
Swiftlet farming for bird nests help Tây Nguyên farmers prosper

The Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) Province of Gia Lai possesses the potential to develop swiftlet farming to a new level with the increase in the number of farming houses in the province in recent years.

Beware of white spot syndrome in shrimp when La Nina returns
Beware of white spot syndrome in shrimp when La Nina returns
Beware of white spot syndrome in shrimp when La Nina returns

La Nina is likely to reappear later this year, which is causing concern among shrimp farmers because of potential white spot syndrome outbreaks.

Insects: A turnkey solution to feed sustainability
Insects: A turnkey solution to feed sustainability
Insects: A turnkey solution to feed sustainability

In December 2024, the Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) is anticipated to take effect, aiming to reduce deforestation and forest degradation.