ACTING CEO of the Export Council of Australia, Heath Baker, had a roundtable meeting with trade minister Simon Birmingham and other industry leaders as part of advocacy efforts.

The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss how government and industry could work better together to promote trade and investment outcomes.

Issues discussed included ways to strengthen the World Trade Organisation, opportunities to further strengthen trade and investment with countries in the region and priorities for new governance of digital trade. 

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Mr Birmingham reportedly agreed to “meet regularly” with these industry leaders, who have formed a ‘Trade Hub’ coalition.

The Trade Hub is a coalition of Australian industry associations with “a shared interest in increasing awareness of the benefits of trade for all Australians”.

Members include the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association, the Australian Services Roundtable, the Export Council of Australia, the Freight Trade Alliance, the Minerals Council of Australia and the National Farmers’ Federation.