The Minerals Council of Australia has joined nine other national industry groups to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a regional trade agreement which will create new economic opportunities for Australia.

Ten industry bodies representing businesses across key sectors of the Australian economy issued a policy brief setting out the reasons why Australia should support the TPP.

The TPP, signed last week by trade ministers from the 11-member countries, will be considered by Federal Parliament in coming months.

The policy brief points out that the benefits from the TPP will be substantial, with modelling showing it will boost the value of Australian exports by $30 billion and increase real GDP by $18 billion a year.

The brief details how the TPP will improve the ability of Australian businesses to export to countries across the Asia-Pacific including Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Chile.

The agreement will eliminate tariffs on hundreds of Australian goods, from beef, wheat, dairy, seafood, wine and horticultural goods, to iron ore, copper, nickel and refined petroleum, to manufactured products like machinery, electrical equipment, paper, automotive components and locally-built ships.

The TPP will also improve opportunities for Australian services exports including financial services, professional and business services, education, health, tourism and mining and oilfield services.

From the minerals sector’s perspective, the TPP will create new opportunities for Australian mining and mining services exports in the Asia-Pacific.

The brief also points out that implementing the TPP will promote Australia’s strategic interests by advancing regional economic integration and foreign policy cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and by sending a strong statement of support for free trade and open markets.

Source: www.minerals.org.au