The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has today commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.
Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said the Australian Government has prioritised a deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, and noted from the recently released Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 that Southeast Asia is at the centre of global growth and is a development and economic success story.
‘Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining the region’s economic growth. With its continuing population growth, rapid urbanisation, rising incomes and increasing food security requirements, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for Australian agricultural exports,’ said Ms Swanson.
The Committee will examine the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets in the context of the recommendations in the economic strategy. It will focus on how Australian agriculture can support Southeast Asia’s food security, improving market access and trade systems, and building capability in the region to improve agricultural sustainability, technology and innovation.
The Committee is also interested in identifying new mechanisms and emerging opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture to address key priorities in the Southeast Asia region. Ms Swanson said, ‘the strategy identified agriculture and food as one of the ten key sectors offering the most potential for greater commercial activity between Australia and Southeast Asia.’
