Today I will travel to the Philippines to lead the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange (SEABX) mission.
The Philippines is an important partner for Australia, and our relationship is at an historic high point with Prime Minister Albanese and President Marcos signing a Strategic Partnership Declaration in 2023.
This year we also celebrate 80 years of bilateral relations between our two countries.
In Manila, I will meet with the Secretaries of Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to advance Australia’s education collaboration with the Philippines.
Australia and the Philippines are both members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
I will also meet with the Undersecretaries for Trade and Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Information and Communications Technology to identify new opportunities to grow two-way trade, which reached a record high of AUD 11.34 billion last year.
My visit demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to deepening trade and investment with the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
The SEABX business mission of 25 Australian delegates drives forward the recommendations in Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 to support the expansion of offshore delivery of education services.
This is the 5th SEABX and investment mission to the Philippines under the strategy.
The missions are focused on areas of greatest trade and investment potential to Australia and the Philippines, including transnational education, resources, infrastructure, green energy transition, digital economy, and agriculture.
I will also meet with Australian businesses and investors in the Philippines to examine opportunities to strengthen our economic cooperation.
Together, we are shaping a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.