China-Australia FTA will grow Victorian jobs: VECCI

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said VECCI urges the Parliament of Australia to approve the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) this year, given the Agreement’s capacity to widen and deepen trade and investment with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

"With a diverse and competitive industry base, Victoria is well placed to leverage major growth opportunities from Australia's largest goods export destination ($90 billion in 2014), and largest services export market ($8 billion in 2014)," Mr Stone said.

"The prospects for new trade and investment extend not only to our agriculture sector, but resources, energy, manufacturing and service industries.

"ChAFTA must be approved by the Parliament this year so that business can benefit from tariff relief, with some tariff cuts occurring immediately and others to take affect from the start of 2016.

"VECCI is united with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, National Farmers’ Federation and Minerals Council of Australia in its call for Parliamentary approval of this crucial deal in 2015."

Employers can access tools, tips and information on getting into exporting or growing existing exports by visiting www.vecci.org.au