EU-Australia trade deal could open new opportunities for European companies

Director General Markus J. Beyrer met Australian Trade Minister Steven Ciobo to discuss opportunities of the EU-Australia free-trade agreement, negotiations for which are expected to be launched in 2017. Australia is an important partner of the EU, a like-minded country that shares the EU’s approach to an open and fair trade and is already integrated in the strategic and fast-developing region of South-East Asia. A trade deal could open new opportunities for EU companies, but also poses challenges in the fields of public procurement, agriculture and geographical indications.