Visit to Vanuatu and Cambodia

I will visit Vanuatu from 27 February to 1 March to attend the Australia Vanuatu Business Forum. The Forum is an important opportunity for senior business and government representatives from both countries to identify new and emerging trade and investment opportunities. 

While in Vanuatu, I will seek to promote Australia’s trade and investment interests and engage partners on Australia’s Pacific Step Up approach.

During this visit, I will also meet the Hon Ralph Regenvanu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade, to discuss practical ways to build on our already strong economic relationship.

Following my visit to Vanuatu, I will visit Cambodia to continue negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership at the 7th RCEP Intersessional Ministerial Meeting. 

The Australian Government is committed to strengthening economic linkages with the most dynamic region in the world and as well as creating better commercial opportunities for Australian farmers and businesses.

RCEP countries account for more than 60 per cent of Australia’s two-way trade and 17 per cent of Australia’s two-way investment. This latest round of meetings will provide an opportunity to progress negotiations towards a high-quality agreement that further integrates Australia within the region and provides Australian farmers and businesses with greater market access. 

On the sidelines of the RCEP negotiations, I will take part in bilateral discussions to further Australia’s trade and investment interests with regional trade partners present at the meeting.