Australian Government to commence negotiations with the UAE on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2024
On Wednesday 13 December 2023, the Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell announced that the Australian Government will commence negotiations with the UAE on a CEPA (a bilateral FTA) in early 2024. The UAE is Victoria’s largest trading partner and most valuable export market in the Middle East region. Last financial year, Victoria’s exports to the UAE worth $929 million and since 18/19 Victorian exports to the UAE have grown by 89%, demonstrating the opportunities the market holds for Victorian exporters.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are inviting written submissions from interested stakeholders on a prospective CEPA, for more information and to make a submission please see DFAT’s CEPA website. To read the Minister’s full press release click here.
New unified GCC tourist visa approach is set to make travel within the Gulf region easier.
On 8 November 2023, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) approved the unified Gulf tourist visa project, which will see a Schengen style visa come into effect for all six GCC states by 2024-25.
The unified visa is part of the GCC’s 2030 Strategy to boost the tourism sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product across the region. Comprised of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, the GCC is an important trading partner for Victoria, with exports to the GCC worth $1.6 billion in 2022/23.
The unified visa will make it easier for Victorians to travel within the GCC to gain a firsthand understanding of the opportunities that exist in the region and experience the vibrant culture and hospitality of the GCC nations.
MENA Exporter Spotlight: Sontext and Hospitality Solution Group
Sontext and Hospitality Solution Group are two Victorian companies finding great success in the Middle East. Global Victoria recently spoke with the companies as part of its Exporter Stories series about their success and export journeys.
Sontext manufactures a range of acoustic and noise control solutions designed to remove noise or improve sound quality in buildings and has been exporting to the MENA region for over 13 years. They have supplied acoustic panels to the Central Bank of Kuwait, Doha Airport, UAE University Al Ein and the Maraya Concert Hall Al Ula in Saudi Arabia.
Hospitality Solution Group specialises in exporting innovative hospitality solutions to the Middle East and European markets with a satellite office and warehouse in Dubai to service the UAE and Middle East markets.
If you're interested in starting your export journey to the MENA region, check out the interviews with the CEOs of Sontext and Hospitality Solution Group. They provide advice on doing business in the region and how Global Victoria has provided support to assist their global ambitions.
Upcoming activities
Mining Indaba February 2024
Global Victoria will be taking a trade mission to Mining Indaba from 5-8 February 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Gulfood February 2024
Global Victoria is participating in an Austrade-led trade mission to Gulfood, taking place from 19-23 February 2024 in Dubai, UAE. Applications for the trade mission have now closed.
Opportunity for Victorian METS companies to be profiled in Australian METS e-publication ahead of IMARC 2023
Austrade and Austmine have partnered to promote the expertise of Australian METS companies to the global mining industry through the e-publication, Australian METS: Accelerating Sustainable Mining.
This exclusive publication will be utilised by Austrade’s overseas posts, particularly in the Middle East and Africa region, and Austmine at various international trade exhibitions and conferences and in meetings with potential customers, to showcase the green credentials of Australian METS companies.
As the global mining sector looks for ways to implement more sustainable practices, this publication will feature Australian capabilities in the following categories:
- The Smart Water Mine
- The Community Mine
- The Zero Carbon Mine
- The Small Footprint Mine
- The Waste Free Mine.
Companies wanting to nominate are required to fill out a questionnaire to be nominated to feature in this showcase.
Submissions close Thursday 7 September 2023.