Chapter 4 Latin America
Introduction
4.1
For many years the countries of Latin America were almost “undiscovered
territory” to Australian industry and consumers. In recent years, however, the
rapid and sustained growth in the major Latin American economies has changed
that perception.
4.2
The countries of Latin America displayed great interest in the inquiry.
They signalled a clear intention to expand trade and investment relations with
Australia, and were grateful for the opportunity to discuss ways of achieving
this.
4.3
Australia shares this vision and last year the Minister for Trade, the Hon.
Simon Crean, highlighted the importance placed on economic relations with Latin
America. In a speech at the Australian Business Club in Peru he said:
Latin America is a priority area for the Australian
Government because we feel that too little has been done in the past to build
solid political and commercial relationships here.[1]
4.4
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a speech to the United
nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in Chile, said
that:
Australia’s desire to broaden, deepen and strengthen our
relationships with Latin America and the Caribbean is the reason I am here
tonight. …
Australia is keen to grasp the opportunity to do more with
Latin America at all levels – bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally.
…the Australian Government is looking with fresh eyes and
fresh enthusiasm at Latin America and the Caribbean, looking at ways to enhance
and deepen our engagement. This desire for deeper engagement is reflected by a
number of recent Australian initiatives to work more closely with countries of
the region.
Strengthening our relationships with the countries of Latin
America and the Caribbean is a high priority for the Australian Government.
The Australian Government now has a new commitment to working
much more closely with Latin America and the Caribbean, and the strategy to
make that happen into the future.[2]
4.5
While several of the Latin American economies have similar structures to
Australia —strong in exports of primary products — there are enough
complementarities to encourage the idea that closer trade and investment
relations will be beneficial to all.
4.6
DFAT in evidence to the Sub-Committee commented on the rapid growth of Australia’s
trade with Latin America and the good prospects for continuation of that trend:
As I am sure you appreciate and would have gathered from your
discussions with my Austrade colleagues a few days ago, Latin America is an
area full of promise for trade in both directions. There are handicaps
involving transport links and the like, but nonetheless trade is growing
strongly, albeit off a very low base.
In the last financial year our exports grew by over 50 per
cent, which is more than twice the rate of growth of exports from Australia to
the world, and also the total value of trade held up very well indeed. I
qualify that because our exports to Latin America are still very much based on
coal and of course coal values played a big part in that, but nonetheless there
is no doubt that the volume of trade is continuing to grow and I need not
expand on what my Austrade colleagues told you.
We see it as being full of promise and it is just a matter of
consolidating our start through the Australia-Chile FTA and of course looking
at further opportunities to expand our links, not just for economic reasons but
for all of the good strategic reasons.[3]
4.7
The Austrade submission to the inquiry noted that although trade with
Latin America is growing strongly, it remains modest when compared to major
trading partners. However, Austrade said the potential is there for
considerable expansion of trade – Latin America has a population of more than
500 million and a combined GDP of nearly $A 4 trillion:
Australian merchandise exports to the whole of Latin America
are roughly on par with countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Canada and
Italy, around $A 2-3 billion in 2007.
Australian services exports to Latin America were estimated
at
$A 906 million in 2007.
Reported Australian investment in Latin America (not
including the Caribbean) as at 30 July 2008 was $A 4,255 billion, although a
very large amount of investment in the region is confidential and therefore not
included in this figure.
Australia's top three trading partners in the region (2007-08
preliminary figures) are Brazil (total trade of $1.91 billion); Mexico ($1.78
billion); and Chile ($764 million). Coal was Australia's stand-out export to
each of these countries. Australia imported mostly end-products such as
vehicles, computers, engines and telecommunications equipment.
Austrade was credited by Australian businesses with directly
assisting $1.485 billion worth of sales and investment in Latin America during
2007-08.[4]
4.8
Austrade also commented that Australian trade is gaining momentum as the
countries of Latin America become less dependent on their economic links with
the US. So far, the gains have been broadly in five sectors:
n Mining (technology
and services); Agribusiness (products, genetics, live animals); Services
(education, consulting, franchising and tourism); Food and beverage
(specialised, wine and beer); and ICT (communications, software).
n In addition to these
five, other major areas of commercial return are continuing to grow, including:
renewable energy (hydro -mini, wind); and coal
(Mexico, Chile, Brazil).[5]
4.9
The difficulties facing Australian exporters stem from the preferences
available to their competitors through the existing network of FTAs between the
Latin American countries and major trading partners; for example, Mexico’s
concessions to the USA and Canada through its membership of NAFTA.[6]
4.10
This is a particular problem in the agricultural sector. An extreme
example occurred when NAFTA came into force. Australia had held 15 per cent of
the Mexican beef market, but that share was eliminated when the Australian
product faced duties of 20-25 per cent while beef from the USA and Canada
received duty free entry.[7]
4.11
Other issues affecting Australia’s trade prospects include freight costs,
shipping schedules and a lack of suitable infrastructure:
The cost of freight, due to distance and unfavourable
shipping schedules, affects prices, and the ability of Australian agricultural
exports to compete in Latin America. Whilst the shipping schedules are
improving, it can be difficult for Australian agricultural exporters to ship in
time for “first come, first served” tariff quotas that operate in a number of
Latin American countries.
In addition some Latin American countries do not have the
infrastructure to efficiently transport and store agricultural products, or
ensure that products are able to get to markets quickly. The lack of storage
facilities for perishable agricultural products is another barrier to trade in some
Latin American countries.
Strong growth in Latin American economies, and the increase
in consumption that growth brings, have increased the value of Latin American
markets for agricultural products. However, the prices on offer in Latin
America for agricultural products have not always been as high as they
currently are. Accordingly, Australian agricultural exporters have historically
sought to sell in higher value markets such as the United States and Japan.
Consequently exporters to Latin America have had to
concentrate their efforts in niche markets. [8]
4.12
However, Australia’s heightened interest in the region has already
resulted in the signing of a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile.
Discussions are also underway with Mexico; and Australia and NZ recently agreed
to seek a resumption of discussions with MERCOSUR.[9]
4.13
MERCOSUR is a Customs Union between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay. Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are Associate members;
Venezuela is becoming a full member; and Mexico has observer status.[10]
4.14
The Brazilian Ambassador said that restarting the talks would be “very
valuable”. He said that the Brazilian Foreign Minister had twice discussed this
subject with Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon Stephen Smith. He
added:
...MERCOSUR is a customs union and we will always negotiate
together. Even though Australia and New Zealand are not, I think it is always
useful to have the two on the other side of the table, as we have done in the
past. Hopefully, this time we will do so with more success than in previous times.[11]
4.15
Austrade said that there are good prospects also because of Australia’s
proximity to the rapidly growing Asian markets:
We are also witnessing an increased interest in Australia
within Latin America as a potential springboard for growing business ties with
Asia with good prospects for inward investment and partnering opportunities
developing.[12]
4.16
Australian investment in the region has grown rapidly – Austrade
estimated growth of 300 per cent between 2007 and 2008. It said that in that
year investment worth $A 450 million had been undertaken across the region by
30 Australian companies.[13]
4.17
The Government of South Australia, which has a strong trading
relationship with Latin America, commented on the need for priority to be given
to access for skilled labour – not only from Latin America but more generally:
The availability of skilled labour will be critical in
meeting Australia's full economic and export potential. The Federal
Government's recent increase in skilled migration quotas is commended and in
support of this, further measures should be taken to decrease the processing
time for skilled migrant visas and fast track the skilled recognition process.[14]
Argentina
4.18
Argentina shares Australia’s views and objectives in a range of areas
affecting the trade and investment relationship; it is, for example, a fellow
member of the Cairns group. The submission from Argentina noted that, like
Australia, it wishes to see the international trading system strengthened and
the benefits more evenly spread.[15]
4.19
The submission listed a number of visits to Australia by Argentine
Ministers and senior officials and similar visits to Argentina from Australia.
It commented on the importance of such visits for building up the trade and
investment relationship:
These high level exchanges are very important for identifying
priority areas where relations can be enhanced and should therefore be promoted
and take place at more regular intervals.[16]
4.20
The Ambassador, in his evidence to the Sub-Committee, added:
I would like to stress that one of the first areas that
should be strengthened in the relationship between Australia and Latin America
is political contacts between members of parliament from the executive branch.[17]
4.21
He added that Argentina would be delighted to receive a visit from the
Prime Minister.[18]
4.22
The Council on Australia-Latin America Relations (COALAR) plays an
important role in improving relations between Australia and the Latin American
region – a role that extends beyond economic issues to also cover areas such as
culture, the arts and people to people contacts. Argentina suggested that it
would be of great benefit to relations between Australia and the Latin American
region as a whole, to expand the activities of the group.[19]
4.23
Argentina also noted the important roles played by business associations
such as: the Australia-Latin America Business Council and the
Argentine-Australia Chamber of Commerce in Australia and the Cámara
Australiano-Argentina de Comercio in Argentina. These bodies are able to
facilitate the expansion of trade and investment links by: developing programs,
meetings and seminars; establishing contacts; and by interaction with the peak
industry bodies in the two countries.[20]
4.24
Government bodies also play important roles. The Australian Government
has Austrade and Invest Australia,[21] and their efforts are
supplemented by the State governments. Argentina particularly mentioned that
Queensland has an office dedicated to relations with Latin America and
suggested that other States follow suit. The submission also noted that
seminars on trade and investment, education, scientific and technical
cooperation have already been held in major Australian cities and commented
favourably on the welcome assistance and cooperation given by State and
Territory governments in staging those events.[22]
4.25
The Ambassador noted that improving air links between Latin America and
Australia, particularly the direct Qantas service between Buenos Aires and
Sydney and Aerolineas Argentina’s services via NZ, now make a flight to
Argentina from Australia faster than a trip to Europe. In fact, the direct
Qantas flight, at approximately 12 hours, is about half the flying time to
Europe.[23]
4.26
The Ambassador was asked about the role played by FEALAC, the Forum for
East Asia-Latin America Cooperation. He replied that it was established in 1999
or 2000 and focuses mainly on trade. Argentina considers it a valuable forum
because it brings together Australia, Latin America and all the East Asian
nations. He said that what the group needs is participation at a higher level,
especially by Australia and New Zealand.[24]
Trade and Investment
4.27
At present Australia’s trade with Argentina is small: total two-way
trade of $A 667million in 2008-09. Under the impact of the Global Financial
Crisis, that total fell to $A 569 million in calendar year 2009. Coal is by far
Australia’s largest export item, making up more than a third of the total.
However, 35 per cent of exports are classified as confidential and details are
not available.[25]
4.28
Imports from Argentina are similarly dominated by animal feed, which is
almost exactly one-third of the total. Other large items are: goods vehicles,
leather, and fixed soft vegetable oils and fats.[26]
4.29
Australia has substantial investments in Argentina, totalling
$A 2,016million in 2008. For the same year Argentina’s investments in Australia
were estimated at $A 255million.[27] Australia’s main sectors
of interest were: mining, agribusiness, entertainment, port management, freight
equipment and workers’ compensation insurance.[28]
4.30
A Parliamentary Delegation visiting Argentina in 2008 noted that there
were a number of other sectors showing promise for Australian investment: environmental
management, wine, construction and building materials, and high-tech machinery.
In the services area there were additional opportunities in: distance
education, vocational training,
tele-medicine, teaching English as a second language, and post-graduate
studies. The Delegation also saw good prospects for tourism.[29]
Strengthening Trade and Investment
4.31
In its submission, Argentina reported that its economy had been growing continuously
at a rate of about 8 per cent a year since 2003. Added to this advantage is its
skilled and highly qualified labour force, which allows it to produce high
quality products at very competitive prices. This labour force is supported by
a good education system and the highest rate of school attendance in Latin
America, on a par with OECD countries.[30]
4.32
The Ambassador told the Sub-Committee that while Argentina had been an
industrial country for a long time, with a high rate of technical education,
its wage rates are comparatively low. This makes Argentine manufactured
products quite competitive. A particular advantage is that the cost of land is
still comparatively cheaper than in competing countries.[31]
4.33
The Argentine Government is keen to see the development of more joint
ventures between Australian and Argentine companies. It mentioned a number of
current cooperative ventures that have achieved success in diversifying
production, and in serving both their own markets and assisting one another to
become established in third markets.[32]
4.34
In his evidence, the Ambassador gave the example of two competing
companies, Capilano from Australia and Honeymax from Argentina, which
transformed from the world’s largest competitors to joint venture partners. He
said that there is considerable scope for similar arrangements and suggested
that in the present drought conditions, investment by Australian farmers in the
agricultural sector of Argentina could be an attractive prospect. He commented,
however, that when raising capital most farmers in Argentina would be slow to
look for a joint venture arrangement. The usual method, he said, was to sell
some of their land.[33]
4.35
The Ambassador also suggested that there is scope for cooperation
between Australia and Argentina in the fields of: genetically modified (GM)
crops – combining Australia’s research with Argentina’s practical experience;
and in nuclear energy research.
4.36
When asked about the role of nuclear energy in Argentina, the Ambassador
commented that nuclear power had been a part of Argentina’s energy mix since
1950. He said that there are two reactors at present, a third is being built,
and a fourth is planned. All of these were built by Argentina itself; so far
there had been no problems and the waste had been managed successfully. In
fact, most of the countries using nuclear energy had not had any serious
problems – for example, Germany, Korea and France. The accident at Chernobyl,
he said:
...was probably not just due to nuclear energy, but to
administrative problems in the structure of the government at the time.[34]
4.37
Argentina is also looking for investment in the oil and gas industries
and is keen to cooperate with Australia in the development of wind and solar
energy technology.[35]
4.38
Other areas that are showing promise are in processed foods, such as
fish, chocolates, groceries and canned foods, and in mining of copper and gold.[36]
4.39
Argentina, along with other Latin American countries, has put a lot of
effort into building links with Australian universities. Seminars on Latin
America have been presented in all of the major Australian universities. In
Argentina’s case, its universities are free and of a high standard;
consequently most students from Argentina studying in Australia are
post-graduates.
4.40
The Ambassador commented that:
Universities in Australia need to be better known abroad.
They have to offer a few places, through scholarships or through grants, so
that students from our countries will come here and spread by word of mouth the
quality that you have in Australia.
It is quite clear that the big advantage you have is that the
universities here are very good. English is the language in which everybody
wants to get a postgraduate degree. On the other hand, you compete with
universities in the United States and Britain, which are better known because
they are older.
Where quality is concerned, from what I gather, you have no
reason to envy them, but you have to become better known. These exchanges would
certainly contribute to that.[37]
4.41
An issue raised by the Ambassador, and by several other Latin American
Ambassadors, concerned the delays and difficulties faced by people seeking to obtain
a visa to visit Australia. The Ambassador said that this is an obstacle to the
development of the tourism industry between our countries. He said that
Argentine nationals visiting Europe do not require a visa and the difficulties
involved in getting a visa to Australia are a deterrent to potential students
and tourists.[38]
4.42
He said that Argentina did not expect that visas would be waived but
instead sought simpler and less expensive processes to obtain one. For example,
the use of electronic visas would make it unnecessary for people to travel long
distances simply to find out whether a visa would be granted. He quoted his own
case: if resident in his home town of Tucuman in the North-West of Argentina,
he would have to travel 1,300 km to Buenos Aires to apply for a visa. Some
countries in Latin America do not have an Australian Embassy; consequently their
citizens have to travel to Argentina, Chile or Brazil to apply for a visa.[39]
Brazil
4.43
In its submission to the inquiry, the Brazilian Embassy noted that
although the Australian and Brazilian Foreign Ministers have visited the other
country, so far neither the President of Brazil nor the Prime Minister of
Australia had done so.[40]
4.44
The submission commented that, during the visit of the Brazilian Foreign
Minister to Australia in 2008, agreement had been reached that a plan of Action
should be prepared to guide the development of an enhanced partnership between
Brazil and Australia. During the Australian Foreign Minister’s visit to Brazil
in August 2009, the two ministers agreed to place the plan before the President
and the Prime Minister as soon as possible.[41]
4.45
In his evidence to the Sub-Committee, the Brazilian Ambassador said that
the two Prime Ministers had accepted invitations for reciprocal visits and he
expected the Plan of Action to be signed during one of those visits.[42]
4.46
He added, however, that Brazil was anxious to see other agreements –
such as the planned agreement on science and technology – signed as soon as
possible. The technical aspects of a revised Transport Agreement have been
completed and it only awaits political acceptance.[43]
4.47
There have also been a number of visits by other ministers, former
ministers and senior officials. In addition, a Bilateral Political
Consultations Mechanism was established in 1990 to act as a “forum of analysis
and exchange of views” on matters of mutual interest. The last meeting of this
body was in 2008.[44]
4.48
Australia and Brazil have shared interests and cooperate in several
forums. They are both members of the Cairns Group of agricultural exporting
countries; they participate with NZ, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in the
MERCOSUR-CER dialogue; and they are members of the Forum for East Asia-Latin
America Cooperation (FEALAC).
Trade and Investment
4.49
Trade between Australia and Brazil was accelerating rapidly until the
onset of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). In 2008, two-way trade grew by 70
per cent to $A 3 billion and Australia’s merchandise exports rose by 82 per
cent to reach $A 1.5 billion. Brazil is Australia’s largest trading partner in
Latin America.[45] The GFC, however, took
its toll in 2009. Exports from Brazil to Australia fell by 65 per cent in the
first three quarters of that year and Australian exports to Brazil fell by 20
per cent.[46]
4.50
The pre-GFC growth was achieved despite the basic similarities between
the structures of the two economies; it demonstrated a phenomenon that is
repeated in trade links with other Latin American countries. Despite the fact
that they compete in many areas, such as agricultural exports, Australia and
the countries of Latin America are finding enough synergies to reward their
cooperation.
4.51
Australia’s main export product to Brazil is coal, valued at $A 1.14 billion
in 2008-09. Other large export items are crude petroleum, fertilisers, and
measuring and analysing equipment. Imports from Brazil consist mainly of
aircraft and spacecraft and their parts, animal feed, equipment and parts for
civil engineering, and pig iron.[47]
4.52
There are still some restraints on the growth of trade and investment
between Australia and Brazil. Neither market is well understood in the other;
distance is still a problem, requiring improvement of transport links; and
various complex regulatory requirements still cause difficulties.[48]
4.53
These problems have slowed, but not stopped, closer engagement between
the two economies. Australian investment in Brazil is growing and the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) submission listed a wide range
of sectors where Australian firms are already operating, or where opportunities
exist. Among these sectors were: mining and its related services, education,
agri-business, information technology, biotechnology, transport and
infrastructure, telecommunications, banking and insurance.[49]
4.54
There was a lean period in 2006 and 2007, with no direct Brazilian
investment in Australia, but some significant indirect investments – Vale
acquired AMCI Holdings; and JBS acquired SWIFT, an American company, and this gave
it control of Australian Meat Holdings. An important step in the relationship
came when Virgin Blue added 20 Brazilian Embraer aircraft to its fleet.[50]
4.55
To assist in consolidating these gains, the existing Trade and
Investment Agreement needs to be updated, which would be a positive step.
However, Brazil’s membership of MERCOSUR prevents the negotiation of a
bilateral free trade agreement. To overcome that difficulty, Australia and NZ
are considering reconvening the CER-MERCOSUR Dialogue, and expanding its agenda
to include trade facilitation, investment and behind-the-border issues.[51]
4.56
Despite the difficulties, positive action is being taken by the two
governments to deal with these problems:
For example, an Australia-Brazil Air Services Agreement is
…ready for signature; negotiations are under way for a science and technology
agreement; and negotiations have begun on an Enhanced Partnership Agreement to
strengthen inter alia bilateral trade and economic links across a range
of sectors.[52]
4.57
The Australian business community would like to see a Double Taxation
Agreement, but major differences in the two taxation systems have prevented that
so far.[53] The Brazilian submission
to this inquiry also suggested that such an agreement would be valuable.[54]
4.58
An area of strong growth has been the influx of Brazilian students at
Australian universities. The Ambassador said the numbers had increased rapidly
during his posting to Australia —from 8,000 three and a half years ago to
20,000. He pointed out the potential for tourism in the families of these
students visiting them.[55]
4.59
The increasing number of students and the potential for tourism can have
a positive influence on transport links – there is the incentive of a growing
customer base to encourage the introduction of more flight connections between
Australia and Brazil.
Strengthening Trade and Investment
4.60
Brazil has proposed the establishment of a range of consultations
between the two governments. The most important of these, and the core of the
proposed Plan of Action, would be regular consultations at ministerial and
senior official levels. Brazil has suggested that these should be wide-ranging
and include discussions on: trade and investment; climate change and the
environment; development cooperation (including discussions with East Timor and
Mozambique); agriculture; mining and energy (including bio-fuels); science and
technology; education; sports and culture.[56]
4.61
The aim is, the Brazilian submission said, “…to establish new patterns
for the bilateral relationship and to discuss outstanding items on the
international agenda”. The submission also proposed the establishment of a
priority list for future actions on: energy and mining; trade and investment
(including a bilateral Trade and Investment Monitoring Group); sport; science
and technology; education; and tourism.[57]
4.62
The proposals included ministerial consultations every two years,
alternately in Brazil and Australia, or at any opportunity provided by
attendance at international meetings. This would involve the ministers
responsible for foreign affairs and trade. A similar pattern of meetings
between senior officials was also suggested.[58]
4.63
A further proposal was for an Australia-Brazil Dialogue, with a similar
meeting pattern. It would involve the ministers and senior officials
responsible for the main agenda items and, where relevant, business
representatives, academics and civil representatives.[59]
4.64
The Brazilian submission acknowledged the shared interests of Brazil and
Australia in trade and investment and suggested also a bilateral Trade and
Investment Monitoring Group. It proposed that this group would:
…explore possibilities for trade and investment promotion and
identify … opportunities in both countries; it could also explore measures in
facilitating trade and investment flows.[60]
4.65
The topics initially suggested included: customs cooperation and
harmonisation of trade statistics. As an adjunct to the activities of the
proposed group, Brazil suggested the formation of an Australia-Brazil Business
Council.[61]
4.66
Other proposals put forward in the Brazilian submission included:
n Developing a Science
and Technology Agreement to foster future co-operation in a wide range of
research areas. Brazil also suggested the conclusion of Memorandums of
Understanding between relevant scientific research bodies in the two countries;
n Formation of a
Consultative Committee on Agriculture, with the aim of promoting mutual
understanding and providing a forum for discussion of agricultural and trade
related issues. The submission also proposed a Working Group on Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Matters – as a supplement to the Memorandum of Understanding on
Sanitary Matters, signed in 1998. An important part of this arrangement would
be to work towards mutual recognition of Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures
and regulations;
n Strengthening
existing co-operation on mining and energy and deepening the dialogue on
renewable energy, particularly bio-energy;
n Establishment of a
dialogue on Climate Change;
n Identification of
further co-operative opportunities under the Memorandum of Understanding on
Co-operation in Education and Training. The submission noted that in August
2009, 15,000 Brazilian students were enrolled in Australian education
institutions;
n Improving air
services. Currently there is no direct flight between Australia and Brazil. The
submission noted that Qantas has shown some interest in extending its direct
flight to Buenos Aires on to Brazil.[62]
4.67
The Ambassador told the Sub-Committee that business people in Brazil
consider “a tax treaty and a facilitation of visas” as the two most important
issues for them.[63]
4.68
For the countries of Latin America, visas pose an important problem.
Brazil (unlike Uruguay, for example) requires visas but this is due, in large
part, to a strict principle of reciprocity – if a country requires Brazilians
to have a visa, then citizens of that country require a visa to enter Brazil.[64]
4.69
Although there is an Australian embassy in Brazil that issues visas, the
size of the country still imposes costs and delays on people from outlying
areas applying for Australian visas. The Ambassador said that there is
“interest in improving facilities for visas, but there are barriers on both sides
and also there is the question of reciprocity”.[65]
4.70
On transport, the Ambassador said:
If you have more transport then, of course, you have more
trade and investment. But the reality is that business people will not do
things unless something is already happening.[66]
Chile
4.71
Chile and Australia have built a strong relationship that was enhanced
by the completion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force on
6 March 2009. The two countries have similar economies, strong in mining and
agriculture, and they share common interests in international trade forums.[67]
4.72
Both countries are members of the Cairns Group and of APEC, and work together
to promote liberalisation of trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
They also cooperate in the WTO to keep agricultural trade reform as a priority
in the Doha Round. In its submission Chile encouraged Australia to join the P4
Group, now called the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and that has now occurred.[68]
4.73
Australia and New Zealand are planning to resume talks with MERCOSUR
(the Customs Union between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) and Chile
is an associate member of that group. Chile is also an associate member of the
Andean Group (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia).
4.74
Chile’s economy has grown strongly in recent years. It had growth rates
of 4.3 per cent in 2006, 5.1 in 2007 and 3.4 in 2008. Fuelled by record world
copper prices, the Chilean government was able to reduce its external debt from
45.8 per cent of GDP to 35.6 per cent between 2004 and 2008—CODELCO, the
Chilean Copper Company and the largest company in Chile, is state-owned.[69]
4.75
The Government of Chile is anxious to develop the relationship, and the
Ambassador indicated a number of goods and services of particular interest:
coal; LNG; renewable energy; mining technology and services; agro-industry;
aquaculture; forestry; wines; animal genetics; irrigation; and tourism. He
noted particularly Chile’s desire to interest fund managers in opportunities in
the financial services area, “...in which there is a lot of potential”.[70]
Trade and Investment
4.76
The FTA is expected to have a substantial effect on trade between
Australia and Chile. It immediately eliminated tariffs on 97 per cent of
merchandise trade, and by 2015 that will be the case for all merchandise trade.
In addition, the Agreement provides for the liberalisation of services and
investment and for access to government procurement markets.[71]
4.77
One Chapter of the FTA opens the way for enhanced cooperation between
Australia and Chile in trade related matters. DFAT commented:
Chile was particularly interested in having this Chapter in
the FTA because it regards Australia as an economic model for Chile to follow
and as a potential partner in innovation and technology, in areas such as
mining operations and viticulture.[72]
4.78
Carrying this idea further a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
agricultural cooperation was signed in August 2009. A similar MOU on mining and
related services has been operating since November 2006.[73]
4.79
The Ambassador for Chile, in his evidence to the Sub-Committee, said
that “Chile is the main destination for Australian investment in the region”.
He added that over 120 companies were involved in business with Chile and 70 of
them had bases in Chile; they are “...using Chile as a platform to deal with
the rest of the region”.
4.80
As an example of Australian investment, the Ambassador referred to an
announcement by Pacific Hydro in June 2009, of a new hydro-electric plant to be
built south of Santiago. The value of the project was US$450 million and over
two years it will create 4,200 jobs. He noted that the company’s investments in
Chile and Brazil were valued at over US$1.5 billion.[74]
4.81
DFAT’s submission suggested two broad areas where the FTA should play a
very important role in increasing trade and investment:
n energy (coal, LNG,
renewable energy), agriculture (dairy, meat, ovine and bovine genetics,
production technologies) and food and beverages including wine; and
n mining and energy
technology and services, engineering and consulting services, franchising
services, education and training, information technology, tourism and
infrastructure.[75]
4.82
DFAT, reinforcing what the Ambassador had said about Australian
companies operating in Chile, noted that many Australian companies have opted
to use Chile as a base for their operations in South America. Chile’s
“relatively open business environment” has made this a viable option. The
department noted that when allied with this situation, the FTA:
...could help in promoting Australia’s strategic economic and
wider engagement with South America.[76]
Strengthening Trade and Investment
4.83
The submission from Chile indicated that one of the factors restricting
the expansion of the trade relationship is a lack of direct shipping services.
The Ambassador told the Sub-Committee that only a few years ago there had been
three or four companies providing shipping services. He said that he had taken
the initiative to seek restoration of suitable shipping links:
We are trying to work out, together with Australia, a new
strategy vis-à-vis the shipping companies. I invited my colleagues from
Argentina and Brazil to make a joint representation to the shipping companies
that are today covering this route in order to re-establish a direct service
between Sydney, Melbourne and, for instance, Valparaiso, Buenos Aires and Rio.[77]
4.84
Another issue, raised by several of the Latin American countries, is the
slow resolution of quarantine issues. The Chilean Ambassador commented that his
first experience of this problem “...was related to the introduction of Chilean
table grapes, which took nine years”.
4.85
The Ambassador said that the rules as presently applied were affecting
Chile’s exports to Australia and he suggested closer cooperation between the
quarantine authorities in our two countries:
We need to create a mechanism between SAG, which is our
national AQIS, and AQIS to speed up the consultation process on sanitary and
phytosanitary measures in order to facilitate and promote bilateral trade. This
will allow us to gain access for products like avocados, berries, kiwifruit,
horses and pork, which are still under consideration. All of these products
have very strict quarantine requirements and demand an import risk analysis
that takes at least two years to complete.[78]
4.86
The Ambassador added:
But, fortunately, I know that AQIS is making a big effort in
order to reduce the time. According to the last meeting we had in my residence
with the AQIS people, the idea is not to take decisions beyond three years
time—which for us is quite a long time. In Chile, we apply an almost similar
procedure, but it is far faster than the ones that you apply in Australia.
The answer that I got from the director of AQIS was that he
had a lack of qualified people to deal with every single requirement. This
obviously plays against the requirements coming from an important number of
countries, including Chile, obviously. I do not know—and this is obviously
quite an important question to be discussed internally—if the FTA, this new
bilateral tool, could serve us to give a little more speed to AQIS’s internal
procedure.
The answer that I got from the director was, in principle,
quite positive; at least he promised to look into this possibility. Two days
ago, as a matter of fact, I received a letter from him telling me that in the
case of the avocados he will pass this power from the C list to the B list. You
have three lists. This is the situation at the moment, and we are quite
confident that, if both parties can get together and define a common way, maybe
we can speed the internal process.
Obviously that will have a very positive impact on our
products. We have to stress that, in the case of Australia, you are exporting
beef and dairy products to Chile without any problem.[79]
4.87
On a similar theme, the Sub-Committee asked the Ambassador about the
quarantine situation that forces horses coming to Australia from Latin America
to go via North America. The Sub-Committee asked whether there had been
discussions on that problem and the Ambassador responded:
Yes, of course. I went through every single problem,
including the horses. Our trade office in Sydney started receiving many calls
from businesspeople who wanted to import horses from Chile directly, not
through the United States.
Again, as I said before, we are clear that the internal
procedures that Australia makes vis-à-vis every single product, are extremely
similar to the ones that Chile applies. We are as tough in our procedure as
Australia. The only problem is the timing. In the case of Chile I do not know
the reasons why we work faster, but this is very important for every single
country that wants to introduce products into Chile.[80]
4.88
The Sub-Committee remarked that the racing industry offers tremendous
opportunities for the import and export of horses, particularly stallions and
brood mares, and that Chile could be the gateway to Latin America for this
trade. The Ambassador said:
We would really appreciate if you could help us to look into
ways to speed up this process. Almost every three months we send professionals
from our equivalent of AQIS to be involved in some AQIS activities because,
from our point of view, the personal link between both our authorities is
extremely important. The knowledge of our professionals is the very first step
to improving the way that we work.[81]
4.89
The Ambassador said that he would like to offer some suggestions on ways
that trade and investment between Australia and Latin America could be
improved. He commented that, in this, he spoke also on behalf of the other
Latin American Ambassadors:
Firstly, we need to intensify the knowledge of both parties
among the business, research and student communities, using entities like
Austrade and its Latin American counterparts, COALAR, ALABC and the chambers of
commerce. This is very, very important because every time we discuss the
relations between Latin America and Australia, the first thing we see is the
lack of knowledge, on both sides.
Secondly, the FTA with Chile is certainly a solid bridge,
with the daily flight connections, as I mentioned before, between Sydney and
Santiago and those between Sydney and Buenos Aires.
This strategy should be supported by a major exchange of
political authorities, and I am referring to ministers chairing business
delegations. We are really missing a major involvement of ministers from the
Australian side.
As you probably know, Australia receives, every two or three
months, a Latin American minister chairing a business delegation—three weeks
ago it was the Chilean Minister for Economy and Innovation, in two weeks time
it will be the Peruvian Minister of Trade, and 1½ months ago it was a Colombian
minister. So we would really appreciate it if we could count on more Australian
ministers going to Chile, especially chairing business delegations.
Parliamentarian diplomacy should also be part of it. You are
the key players in the definition of the legal rules that will animate this scenario—this
is a fact. And we are placing a high priority on the exchange of
parliamentarians. In this respect, we really appreciate that the President of
the Senate managed to pay a visit to Chile and Mexico last month.
A very last important remark for you to consider is that
Australia is becoming more and more important for our region—a reference
country for our region. This is an invaluable asset for Australia, considering
we are talking about an environment of 600 million people. So I thought that
this very last remark, about the challenges between Australia and Latin
America, is there to debate. This is the right momentum—to work together as
fast as we can, in order to take advantage, as I mentioned before, of how
important Australia is becoming for every single Latin American country.
You can see it, not only from the business point of view but
from the number of Latin American students that are moving to this country on a
yearly basis. I mentioned the case of Chile but you have an important number of
Columbian students, of Brazilian students and of Peruvian students, and the
number will increase dramatically in the next year. This is something to be
considered when you define policy vis-à-vis Latin America.[82]
Colombia
4.90
Colombia, like its neighbours, is keen to expand its trade and
investment relationship with Australia. The Colombian Ambassador spoke to the
Sub-Committee about the efforts Colombia is making to overcome the security
problems that have plagued the country in recent years. He said that the President
of Colombia told an APEC summit meeting that the country is concentrating on
building trust and safety in Bogota and the other main cities.[83]
4.91
The Ambassador said that his country had extensive coal reserves; Columbia
is the fifth largest coal exporter in the world. The Colombian industry is
interested in cooperation with Australian companies on the introduction of
clean coal technology in Colombia.[84]
4.92
Trade and Investment Queensland has been very active in pursuing investment
links with Colombia. Former Premier Peter Beattie, as the Queensland Trade
Commissioner to America, has supported the idea of greater investment in
Colombia, particularly in infrastructure projects.[85]
4.93
To assist in developing these technologies, Colombia welcomes overseas
investors. Foreign investment in 2007 totalled US$9billion and the priority
areas were infrastructure, education and training.
Trade and Investment
4.94
The Colombian submission noted that its exports to Australia had a peak
of US$21.1 million in 2004 and then declined a little. In the period 2004–7
they ranged between US$16.3 and 17.2 million. Coffee is one of Colombia’s
most important exports and other sectors showing promise were: other
agriculture; household goods; goods for offices, hotels and hospitals;
pharmaceuticals; and metal products. By 2009, according to DFAT figures, that
trade had grown to A$30 million and coffee, at A$17 million, was over half of
that.[86]
4.95
Australia’s exports to Columbia have also grown substantially in recent
years. The Colombian submission recorded levels of US$24.5 million in 2006 and
US$27.2 million in 2007. In 2009, DFAT indicated that exports had reached A$57
million, with nickel ores and concentrates making up 38.6 per cent of the
total.[87]
4.96
Despite these improvements there is still plenty of scope for growth. In
2009 Australia ranked as number 55 on Colombia’s list of principal export
destinations, with only 0.1 per cent of the total. Similarly, Australia was 37th
on Colombia’s list of import sources, with 0.2 per cent of the total.[88]
Strengthening Trade and Investment
4.97
In November 2009 Australia and Colombia signed a Memorandum of
Understanding on Strengthening Bilateral Trade and Investment. The MOU
expressed the intention of the two countries to facilitate and strengthen trade
and investment between them, and to coordinate their efforts to reduce barriers
to bilateral trade and investment.[89]
4.98
The MOU said that the two countries would seek to achieve these aims by
strategic cooperation in all suitable sectors. Sectors particularly mentioned
were: agribusiness, education services, energy, legal services, resources
(including services and equipment), infrastructure, information technology and
telecommunications.[90]
4.99
Other provisions of the MOU covered the promotion and protection of
investment and the importance of maintaining transparency in the laws and
regulations on trade and investment. There was also a provision establishing a
Committee on Trade and Investment; to meet one year after the signing of the
MOU. The Committee is to: promote the aims of the MOU; monitor the development
of trade and investment relations and identify and promote opportunities to
expand them; and discuss policy issues and trade and investment matters of
common interest.[91]
4.100
The submission from the Embassy requested that Australia revise and,
where possible modify, visa requirements and procedures. Particularly to
facilitate travel for investors and businesspeople.[92]
4.101
Like other Latin American countries Colombia noted the importance of
increasing two-way visits by high ranking government officials and senior
businesspeople as a means of improving trade and investment relations. [93]
Mexico
4.102
Mexico stands in a unique position in Latin America; not only closely
linked with the other Latin American economies but also a member of NAFTA, the
free trade agreement between the USA, Canada and Mexico.
4.103
Australia, as part of its commitment to widening economic relations with
Latin America, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2009 to
“...formalise political consultations between the Mexican Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade”. In announcing the
signing of the MOU, DFAT noted:
The agreement will create a forum for Mexican and Australian
officials to discuss freely the bilateral and global issues, including climate
change, free trade and nuclear non-proliferation, confronting both nations and
to develop solutions to the challenges they pose.
Australia and Mexico are both active members of the G20 and,
on climate change, the Copenhagen Commitment Circle. Australia cooperates
closely with Mexico in a range of multilateral fora, including the United
Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the forum for Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) and the Forum for East Asia Latin America Cooperation
(FEALAC).
Bilaterally, Mexico continues to be Australia's second
largest trading partner in Latin America. Total two-way merchandise trade
in 2008-09 was valued at A$2.2 billion.[94]
4.104
The Mexican Embassy, in its submission to the inquiry, reported that
Mexico also had 11 other free trade agreements, with a total of 44 countries.
It also noted that Mexico’s geographical position, linking the Pacific and
Atlantic Oceans, and connecting also to both North and South America, “makes it
an ideal hub for worldwide production and trade”.[95]
4.105
The submission also said that Mexico can offer the advantage of a unique
strategic manufacturing base – close to its NAFTA partners, the United States
and Canada, and also to the rapidly-growing countries of South America,
especially the giant economy of Brazil.[96]
Trade and Investment
4.106
Bilateral trade between Mexico and Australia has increased substantially
in recent years. From a very low base in 1991 trade grew steadily and tripled
between 2000 and 2005. That trend continued until the disruptions of the GFC interfered.
In 2006, Australia’s exports to Mexico totalled A$891 million, but in 2007 and
2008 the total was A$735 million for each year. Australia’s imports from
Mexico, however, defied the effects of the Crisis and continued to grow: A$1,077
million in 2006, A$1,161 million in 2007, and A$1,406 million in 2008.[97]
4.107
DFAT described Australia’s trade and investment relationship with Mexico
as:
...modest ...given the size of its economy, which is one of
the ten or so largest measuring GDP on a purchasing power parity basis.[98]
4.108
In November 2006 the two governments signed a Memorandum of
Understanding to establish a Joint Experts Group to “examine the bilateral
economic relationship and means of enhancing it”. One of the findings in that
study was the fact that the scope of the trade relationship is generally
understated:
One of the most significant outcomes of the JEG meetings was
a clearer understanding of the true state of the bilateral trade relationship.
A joint examination of each country’s trade statistics revealed that the
Australia-Mexico merchandise trade flows are perhaps more than 50 per cent
greater than the two countries' export statistics would indicate.
The true state of the trade relationship is obscured by the
fact that much of it passes through the US, and hence its true origin or
destination is not immediately apparent to Australian and Mexican
statisticians. This is especially true in relation to the volume of Mexican
exports to Australia, which were revealed to be far higher than the Mexican
side believed, indicating that Australia was a far more important export market
for Mexico than it appeared at first glance.[99]
4.109
The two countries do have in place several agreements that offer
potential for bilateral cooperation. There is a Trade and Investment Agreement,
signed in 1997, which established a Joint Trade and Investment Commission. An
Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement was signed in 2007, and other
agreements and memorandums cover energy cooperation, education and training.[100]
4.110
When the Joint Experts Group reported to the two governments in July
2009. It proposed:
...revitalising the Joint Trade and Investment Commission and
holding an early high level meeting of the Commission as the first step in
building the bilateral economic relationship.
4.111
Referring also to the idea of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement, the
report said that:
...while negotiation of a comprehensive bilateral FTA had the
potential to deliver the most economic benefit, it would be prudent to wait
until circumstances developed in both countries to enable the political
decisions necessary for negotiating a high quality agreement.[101]
4.112
Mexico’s submission indicates that the Mexican Government also sees
opportunities for both countries to expand trade relations:
...there are plenty of opportunities for improvement in these
trade relations: tariff and non-tariff barriers to certain commodities and
other goods and services still exist. It would be in the interest of both
Governments to work towards eliminating these barriers ...to positively increase
trade relations, which can in the end benefit both countries.[102]
4.113
The report of the Joint Experts Group agreed with that assessment,
commenting:
...the Australian-Mexican relationship is in good shape, with
trade and investment increasing, but there are potential synergies and
advantages in closer economic relations that have not yet been fully exploited.
In particular, Australia and Mexico can do more to take
advantage of each other’s strategic and trade positions – proximity to, and
integration with, the US and Latin American markets in the case of Mexico, and
to East and South-East Asian markets in the case of Australia. Increased
cooperation between the two nations could help to create certainty for traders
and investors.
Along with the strong financial frameworks and investment
rules already shared by Australia and Mexico, further integration could allow businesses
to take advantage of improved economies of scale to target third country markets
where in-country links are strongest. Given the size of our two economies and their
complementary trade profiles the signs for further significant growth in
bilateral trade are very promising indeed.[103]
4.114
On the question of a possible FTA with Mexico, however, the Group felt
that more time is needed:
...the Australia-Mexico Joint Experts Group report was
finalised earlier this year. The report considered a number of alternatives of
which an FTA was one.
The conclusion of the group, which comprised members from
both the Mexican and Australian sides, was that now was not the right time to
progress towards an FTA with Mexico. There just was not the support within the
business communities in both countries to pursue one and certain sensitivities
would need to be overcome.
Having said that, in the longer term I have no doubt that the
commercial relationship with Mexico will expand considerably. We have a very
robust trading relationship with Mexico and a burgeoning investment
relationship too, I believe.[104]
4.115
Although Australian investment in Mexico has grown in recent years, it
still represents a minor share of the total. About four-fifths of FDI in Mexico
comes from three countries: the USA, Spain and Canada. Mexico is keen to see
that situation change, and commented that “there are still ample opportunities
for Australian companies... to invest in Mexico and take advantage of the vast
range of benefits that are involved”.[105]
4.116
Mexico’s economy is growing rapidly and it has benefited from FDI
through: an increase in technological capacity; an increase in the skill level
of the labour force; and enhanced national productivity and competitiveness.
Almost half of new FDI received in 2007 went to the manufacturing sector. In
response, Mexico launched a National Infrastructure Plan to guide and encourage
infrastructure development.[106]
4.117
An essential part of that plan was “to make it easier to participate and
invest in a wide range of projects in Mexico”. To achieve this, Mexico has
introduced a regulatory framework for foreign investments. It sets out the
rights and obligations of foreign investors, and establishes a safe and orderly
environment for their investments; with the added incentive of high yields on the
funds invested.[107]
4.118
Mexico’s submission estimated Australia’s FDI in Mexico as US$135
million in 2007. Between 1999 and 2008 the total was US$216.8 million; only
0.89 per cent of total FDI in Mexico. However, the submission was very positive
about the available opportunities:
...there are still ample opportunities for Australian
companies to join in the prevailing tendency of both large multinationals and
medium-sized companies to invest in Mexico and take advantage of the vast range
of benefits that are involved.[108]
4.119
One example mentioned by the Mexican Ambassador in her evidence was the
ongoing reform in the energy sector:
Most of the structural reforms that the President set out to
approve at the beginning of his administration have now been passed by congress
and set in motion. The most recent one—and an important one for investment—is
the reform of the energy sector.
PEMEX, Mexico’s national oil company, has not been
privatised, but the reforms have begun the process of modernisation and of
strengthening the company ...to make it a more competitive and efficient
international player, which also promotes renewable sources of energy.
For this, investments from home and abroad are now welcome,
in exploration, extraction and refining of petrol and other energy resources.
This could be very attractive, for example, to Australian companies that
specialise in services, exploration and the equipment that this field requires.[109]
4.120
The Ambassador also suggested that there are opportunities for
cooperation and joint venture arrangements in the motor vehicle industry:
...I think this is a source of opportunity for countries like
Mexico and Australia because we are producing different kinds of components for
the car industry. As for our trade balance, we are exporting engines to
Australia and you are exporting all sorts of parts for the car industry to
Mexico.
I think there is a great opportunity now to create joint
ventures for strategic alliances with these companies to export, not just to
our big market, which is the United States, but to all the markets in the
world.[110]
4.121
When asked by the Sub-Committee about the advantages offered by Mexico
as an investment destination, the Ambassador responded:
I think we have a lot of comparative advantages that we can
offer to international companies. Mainly we have a stable economic and
financial establishment in Mexico. Our macroeconomic financial strength is
there. We have an investment grade granted by institutions such as Standard
& Poor’s and Moody’s that shows we are in very good shape. We have been
qualified as BBB+ by them.
As I have mentioned, Mexico is one of the most open economies
in the world. We have a network of trade and investment agreements... We have a
strategic geographical location as well. We are close to major markets. We
border the world’s largest economy. We have shores on two oceans. We connect
well within Latin America, not just with North America.
We have the ability to form clusters around different
factories to provide input to the big companies as well. We have a highly
qualified and competitive labour force that has been trained since our NAFTA
agreement has been in place for 15 years. We have an investment friendly
environment and we are politically stable. All these factors give Mexico an
advantage compared with other countries in the world.[111]
4.122
The Sub-Committee asked about the scope for increasing trade in animal
products and live animals and the Ambassador replied:
I think there is a lot of scope to increase both ways.
Mainly, we are buying cattle and dairy products from Australia, but we are also
selling some dairy products to you as well. So it is a two-way trade now. What
we want to increase more is cooperation—technical and scientific cooperation in
the field of agribusiness.[112]
4.123
The Ambassador referred also to the opportunities that exist for trade
in other products, such as processed foods:
I think that processed foods are also very important in our
trade balance and there is a lot of scope to advance this relationship. You
probably know that Mexico is exporting Corona beer to Australia and it is very
popular here. We would like to export more tequila, for example, and processed
food—in cans, mainly.
But there are plenty of opportunities in many different
areas, for example: in engines, as I mentioned; in telecommunications; in
software; in media games and medicaments. All of these areas are part of our
trade balance with Australia.
Mexico is one of the largest trading partners of Australia in
Latin America, with US$1.5 billion in trade. I think what we need to do is to
create and promote more awareness of each country—what we have and how we can
complement each other...[113]
Tourism and Airline Services
4.124
Tourism and the availability of flights between Australia and Mexico
were also discussed and the Ambassador indicated that she was very interested
in the introduction of direct flights between Mexico and Australia:
It would change our lives, really, because we would have more
tourism and more business people. We are working hard. We have in place an MOU
on air services that established a co-share flight between Qantas and Mexicana
that started working in 2006. Now we have almost finished the negotiation of an
air transport agreement that will allow more exchanges between different
airlines from Mexico and from Australia—because now you have Virgin airlines in
place.
From Mexico we have a lot of connections to Central and South
America and the Caribbean as well, so if they could fly from here to Mexico
City or another city in Mexico—Guadalajara, Acapulco or Cancun—they could
connect with flights that come from the United States as well. This should be a
point of negotiation between the airlines.
There are plenty of opportunities. Do you know that many of
the people I talk to want to go to Mexico but they do not want to go through
the United States because they need a transit visa to go there? Mexico is now
one of the largest tourist destinations in the world. It ranks as the eighth
most popular tourist destination in the world. We had 21 million visitors in
2007.
It is a big industry in Mexico but of those tourists only
33,000 were Australians, so we would like to have more. I am sure that some of
them are travelling to the United States and crossing the border, but we would
like to have more tourism in the wonderful parts of Mexico.[114]
Phytosanitary Issues
4.125
As with several other Latin American countries, Mexico has concerns
about the application of Australia’s phytosanitary arrangements. Mainly, the
concerns are focused on the length of time taken to have agricultural products
assessed. When asked about the number of products awaiting risk assessment, the
Ambassador said:
This is an issue that we have been dealing with for several
years. There are several products. One of them is avocado, which is very
important for the bilateral relationship. We requested a risk analysis for
avocados ...several years ago and we are still on the waiting list.
We also have other problems. Citrus fruits are very important
for our bilateral agenda, and they are pending to be analysed. We have [had]
some analysis done for other products—such as grapes, plums, melons, broccoli,
et cetera—but they are not being included in the protocols yet.
We have all these different products that could be included
in the protocol list and we are wondering why we could not negotiate them as a
package. We need to negotiate product by product.
We have been trying to do this for several years, and I think
one of the solutions could be to have a phytosanitary agreement in place
between Mexico and Australia. We also provide opportunities for products from
Australia, such as livestock, meat, dairy products, or wines, which are
important sectors in this country.[115]
4.126
When questioned further, the Ambassador added:
We are exporting avocadoes to the 50 states in the United
States, to Japan and to Europe. So, we are certified. We cannot export those to
Australia, which is very inconvenient, not just for consumers. You could have
avocadoes here, when you do not produce avocadoes here, because our seasons are
different.
...our entity in Mexico—which is called SENASICA, which is
part of our agricultural ministry—has been working, since long ago, with AQIS
here. But no results have been in place.[116]
Paraguay
4.127
The Export and Investment Network in the Ministry of Industry and
Commerce in Paraguay (REDIEX) noted that two-way trade between Australia and
Paraguay is very low at present. However, as Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR, it
also commented that trade with that group more than doubled between 2003 and
2007:
Australia’s imports from MERCOSUR countries increased from US$440
million to US$980 million; and exports rose from US$360 million to US$890
million.[117]
4.128
By 2009 trade with Paraguay was growing and exports reached
A$1,468,000, an increase of 7.2 per cent over 2008; imports in 2009 totalled A$920,000,
an increase of 41.5 per cent over 2008.[118]
4.129
REDIEX said that, while the figures for current trade between our
countries are very small, it had identified “plenty of opportunities” in the
trade with the MERCOSUR group. Through these avenues it believed that trade
and investment with Paraguay could be increased.
4.130
One of the advantages held by Paraguay, the submission said, was its
central location in South America. Paraguay has borders with Argentina, Bolivia
and Brazil and is close to Uruguay, Chile and Peru.
4.131
The Government of Paraguay is actively seeking FDI and the submission
from REDIEX indicated that the main
sectors are: agribusiness, food and beverages, tobacco, chemical industries, communications,
commerce, financial institutions, insurance and banking. The submission added
that:
We are actively prospecting for eventual investments oriented
to producing and developing biomass for bio-fuel production. We also identify a
great investment potential for Australian companies to diversify production and
outsourcing in sectors like cattle ..., the dairy industry, the mining sector,
agrochemicals, electro-intensive industries and infrastructure.[119]
Peru
4.132
Diplomatic ties between Australia and Peru were established in 1963.
Since then the relationship has been firmly established on a range of shared
interests and goals. Trade liberalisation, encouraging investment and regional
cooperation are high priorities. The two countries have worked together in both
multilateral and regional forums, particularly in APEC.[120]
4.133
Australia and Peru both place considerable importance on the outcome of
the Doha Round. Reform of agricultural protection regimes is foremost among
their goals and both are members of the Cairns Group, which Peru joined in 2007.[121]
4.134
Peru has FTAs with MERCOSUR, the United States, Canada, Singapore and
Chile, and an agreement with Thailand. It is also seeking to negotiate FTAs
with Mexico, the EFTA countries,[122] China and a partnership
agreement with the European Union. Peru also has negotiations in view with Central
America and Korea, and has joined the Pacific Partnership negotiations. Peru
has indicated to Australia that it would welcome negotiations for an FTA with
this country.[123]
4.135
When asked what type of agreement Peru would be seeking, the Ambassador
said that, like Australia, Peru was interested in WTO-plus agreements – i.e. an
agreement that goes beyond WTO commitments. Peru wants:
...comprehensive, high-quality agreements. They will not be
... limited to the trade liberalisation of goods but, on the contrary, go
further into financial services particularly investments. Investment and trade
are very much related. We would like to see flows of trade and investments,
which in the future could stimulate new investment and trade opportunities.[124]
4.136
The Ambassador said that Australia and Peru have cooperated closely in
APEC, especially since Peru hosted the APEC meetings in Lima in 2008 following
Australia’s turn as host. He also commented that the two countries share a
strong commitment to trade liberalisation at all levels and have worked well
together in efforts to see a suitable outcome from the Doha Round.[125]
4.137
The Ambassador recalled that at the end of the Lima summit the President
of Peru strongly advocated free trade as the best way of overcoming the GFC.
Peru recognises the value of free trade and improved market access in the fight
against poverty. The Ambassador noted that despite its rapid growth in recent
years, Peru still had 39 per cent of its population living below the poverty
line. He said, however, that they had managed to reduce that figure by five per
cent in the last two years and nearly nine per cent since 2005.[126]
Trade and Investment
4.138
In its submission the Peruvian Embassy showed that trade growth between
Australia and Peru was very strong in the five years between 2002 and 2007.
Australia’s imports from Peru rose from US$35 million in 2002 to US$98 million
in 2007; exports to Peru also grew strongly in that period, from US$25 million
to US$67 million. The overall growth in total trade between 2002 and 2007 was
176 per cent.[127]
4.139
The figures for 2009, even though expressed in A$ instead of US$ and
despite the effects of the GFC, indicate that the growth trend has continued.
In 2009, merchandise trade with Peru totalled A$248 million; imports from Peru
were A$139 million and exports to Peru A$109 million. Australia’s main imports
from Peru were zinc ores and concentrates and animal feed. Our main exports to
Peru were powdered milk and cream and specialised machinery and parts.[128]
4.140
Prior to the GFC Peru’s economy had been growing strongly. GDP growth
was 7.6 per cent in 2006, 8.9 per cent in 2007 and 9.2 per cent in 2008.
Despite a drastic slowdown to almost zero growth during the crisis, the
forecast for 2009-10 is for growth at around 7 per cent.[129]
4.141
The submission from Peru indicated that government revenues are solidly
positive, inflation has been contained at a low level and the exchange rate has
been stable. The economic overview produced by DFAT commented:
President Garcia’s economic policies have been characterised
by fiscal discipline, inflation targeting, a managed float of the currency and
investment in infrastructure and social programs.[130]
4.142
The Ambassador for Peru, in evidence to the Sub-Committee, noted that
the government’s fiscal position is sound and in surplus (about 3 per cent was
expected for 2008).
4.143
Peru offers attractive conditions for investors. Its legal framework is
based on equality, freedom and non-discrimination. National treatment is
offered to foreign investors. It also has 32 agreements on investment that
provide stability for the investors. The World Economic Forum ranked Peru as
the most receptive Latin American country for foreign investment and the World
Bank ranked it second in Latin America for protection of investment.[131]
4.144
Independent providers of credit rankings have assessed Peru at
Investment Grade. This assessment has come from: Standard and Poor’s, Fitch and
DBRS.[132] The Ambassador for
Peru, in evidence to the Sub-Committee, noted that in 2008, Peru joined the
OECD Investment Committee. He also commented that foreign companies have the
right to:
...invest in all economic activities, with free transfer of
investment capital, freedom to purchase stock and so on. On top of that,
foreign companies are entitled to sign a 10-year stability agreement with the
government.[133]
4.145
Peru has the aim of becoming the leading export nation in Latin America
and has multiplied the value of its exports by four times in the last five
years, boosting employment. The Ambassador said that import duties were reduced
to give Peru’s industries “more access to new capital, goods, equipment and
technology, creating a virtual circle by encouraging more exports”.[134]
4.146
He noted that Australia is already supplying machinery and technology to
the Peruvian mining industry and added:
Our economies are very much complementary, but there are other
areas [where] Australia can expand trade and investments in Peru, as in
agribusiness, infrastructure, water, financial services and energy, just to
cite some examples.[135]
4.147
The Ambassador said that more political dialogue and reciprocal
diplomatic representation would be very helpful in attaining these aims. He
added that the Government of Peru and the business community have praised the
announcement by Australia that its embassy in Peru would be reopened in 2010.
The additional transport links enabled by the conclusion of talks on a
bilateral air services agreement would be of additional assistance.[136]
4.148
The Sub-Committee commented that the air services agreement is a crucial
part of our relationship. The Ambassador responded that tourism is becoming
very important, and that about 23,000 Australians visited Peru in 2007; that
figure, he said, is growing at 10 per cent a year. Another rapidly growing area
in the relationship is education services. The Ambassador said that from less
than 300 students studying in Australia three years ago, the total has now
grown to over 1,200. That growth, he said, will be assisted by better air
services, particularly if a direct service can be established. At present there
are no direct flights and the most direct services are via New Zealand or the
direct flight to Buenos Aires.[137]
4.149
The Peruvian students are mostly privately funded and are concentrated
mainly in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; though spread over a wide range of
institutions. Many of them work up to 20 hours per week to finance their
studies and other expenses. The Sub-Committee noted the need for an agreement
on mutual recognition of qualifications.[138]
4.150
The Ambassador told the Sub-Committee that the universities in Australia
and Peru were working on closer ties:
There is also an ongoing collaboration between Australian and
Peruvian universities, which is to be highlighted. We are working on developing
more institutional links, cooperation links, between the universities
themselves and working closely in promoting the location opportunities from
both sides as well; we would also like to see some Australians going to Peru.[139]
4.151
The Ambassador commented that tourism would be assisted if an agreement
could be reached on a “working holiday” scheme. He said that similar schemes
were already in place between Australia and several other countries and seemed
to work well.[140]
Uruguay
4.152
Economic relations between Australia and Uruguay have been slow to
develop, mainly because of distance and the geopolitical circumstances they
face. Uruguay has had an embassy in Canberra since the 1960s and currently also
has a Consulate General in Sydney. The Ambassador for Uruguay observed,
however, that Australia has never had an embassy in Montevideo.[141]
4.153
In his submission to the inquiry, the Ambassador noted that these
problems have limited high level visits, and he commented:
…our region rarely appears on Australia’s international
agenda and this is even more apparent regarding the Atlantic coast countries of
MERCOSUR, which have not benefited from Australia’s increased focus on
Asia-Pacific integration.[142]
4.154
Uruguay, like several other Latin American countries, has expressed
satisfaction that the Australian Government has indicated its intention to widen
its economic relations in the region.
4.155
In giving evidence to the Sub-Committee, Ambassador Fajardo commented
that while it was good that Australian Ministers took advantage of multilateral
meetings, such as the Cairns Group, to visit Latin America, it would be even
better if they could make focused visits:
...I think it is also good when ministers say “Okay, I’m just
going to spend one week or a week and a half in South America and we are going
to visit three or four countries”. Then the Prime Minister says, “I’m going to
have a Prime Ministerial visit to two, three or four countries”.
These things would be very important and, in the framework of
some kind of strategy where we are going to keep on focusing on South America,
I think that this would be very useful.[143]
4.156
The submission from Uruguay noted that in 2004 the country began an
“extraordinary phase of growth”. Inflows of foreign capital reached
unprecedented levels and economic growth was sustained at an average of 6.7 per
cent between 2004 and 2008. Although that rate dropped to 2 per cent in 2009,
during the GFC, Uruguay was able to avoid a recession. Indications are that
growth will improve to 4-5 per cent this year.[144]
4.157
Uruguay was one of the founding members of MERCOSUR and the Secretariat
and Parliament of the group are both located in Montevideo. Through its
membership of MERCOSUR Uruguay enjoys free trade agreements with Paraguay,
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.
Uruguay also has an FTA with Mexico, under a waiver arrangement with MERCOSUR.[145]
4.158
To these advantages, Uruguay adds a strategic geographic position close
to the most affluent areas in South America. The immediate area around Uruguay
generates approximately 73 per cent of Brazil’s GDP, 71 per cent of Argentina’s
and 60 per cent of Chile’s.[146]
4.159
Uruguay has established a very attractive regime for foreign investors:
Domestic and foreign capital are treated equally and
both...can receive the same incentives. There are no limits for foreign capital
in companies. Foreign investors may carry out any type of activity under the
same conditions as local investors. In certain industry sectors, foreign
investors can perform activities under public concession agreements.
There are no limits on capital repatriation or profit
transfer and no permits are required. The currency exchange market is free and
has no limits on foreign currency trading. Investments can be made in any
currency.
The tax system is neutral with respect to foreign investment.
No prior authorisations are required to make investments, except for
environmentally-related permits.[147]
4.160
The submission from Uruguay also commented that, according to the World
Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for 2008-09, Uruguay has the
best intellectual property (IP) protection in South America. Uruguay uses
international IP standards, and copyrights, brand names and patents are
protected by law.[148]
Trade and Investment
4.161
Trade between Australia and Uruguay has been small so far and investment
levels are also limited. Australian exports grew from
A$18.1 million in 2006 to A$21.78 million. The GFC, however, produced a decline
to A$10.1 million in 2009. The main products were leather, wool and raw hides
and skins.[149]
4.162
The story with imports from Uruguay was similar, except that the decline
showed itself earlier, in the figures for 2008. In 2006, Australian imports
from Uruguay totalled A$15.5 million, in 2007 A$25.4 million, but in 2008 only A$15.8
million. In 2009, the total started to rise again and reached A$18.2 million.
The main imports were preparations for making non-alcoholic beverages, articles
of iron and tanning substances.[150]
4.163
Both economies are strong in the production and export of agricultural
products. Despite this they have regularly co-operated in the Cairns Group and
in the Doha negotiations. The Uruguayan submission commented, however, that
there are factors operating against greater market penetration:
n Australia’s very
strict AQIS and bio-security regulations; and
n the distance that
separates the two countries.
Added to these is a
scarcity of transport linkages; a problem that affects much of Australia’s
trade with Latin America.[151]
4.164
Transport is affected both by the distance involved and the lack of
direct shipping. Air links have improved in recent years and LAN Chile,
Aerolineas Argentinas and Qantas all fly direct to Sydney from Buenos Aires –
from Montevideo to Buenos Aires is only half an hour. Air New Zealand may also
have flights to South America soon.[152]
Strengthening Trade and Investment
4.165
The Government of Uruguay is keen to attract new investments from
Australian companies. Uruguay’s submission draws attention to the opportunities
that exist for joint ventures, particularly in the agribusiness sector.
Australia can offer cutting edge technology and considerable knowledge and
experience to such ventures. An additional attraction of joint ventures in
Uruguay is that the products produced would also have access to the markets of
the other MERCOSUR partners.[153]
4.166
The mining sector in Uruguay also offers opportunities in both
exploration and development. The traditional base of extraction of non-metallic
minerals has now expanded to take in exploration for gold, diamonds and iron
ore. Australia has much to offer in the skills and technology applicable to
these products.[154]
4.167
In 2009, Uruguay launched a licensing round, entitled “Uruguay Round
2009”, for offshore gas and oil development. Although BHP Billiton was engaged
in the early negotiations, it did not sign an exploration contract.[155]
4.168
Uruguay has a particular interest in co-operation with Australia on
research and development in the agricultural sector. The National Agricultural
Research Institute of Uruguay (INIA) “has already concluded several agreements
with Australian institutions: the Victorian Department of Primary Industries;
the company Phytogene; the University of Western Australia; and the University
of New England/the Agricultural Business Research Institute.[156]
4.169
For example, Uruguay has been working with the Victorian Department of
Primary Industries on projects seeking to develop stronger and more drought
resistant pastures.[157]
4.170
The Ambassador also mentioned the opportunities that exist for
Australian investment in livestock, dairy and crop production in Uruguay. He
reminded the Sub-Committee that Uruguay has had years of co-operation with both
Australia and New Zealand in the wool industry. He commented that another
growth area is plantations of eucalypts.[158]
4.171
Uruguay’s submission proposes that:
Both countries should actively explore the possibilities for
joint research and development activities, making use of best practices in this
field and encourage, facilitate and support the development of direct contacts
and co-operation between government agencies and organisations, universities,
science and research centres, private sector firms, etc.[159]
4.172
In common with several other Latin American countries, Uruguay is
concerned about the difficulties involved in obtaining a visa to visit
Australia. Uruguay does not require Australians to have either a tourist or a
business visa. Uruguayans, however, “...need visas to travel to Australia or
even to transfer through an Australian airport”.[160]
4.173
The Uruguayan submission noted that to visit Australia, whether for
business or on holiday, any Uruguayan citizen must send their passport,
application form and payment of a non-refundable fee of $105, by courier to
Buenos Aires. This is a time-consuming and expensive exercise and the
submission added that it had discouraged many Uruguayans from applying.[161]
4.174
The consequence has been a loss to the tourism industry, another
limiting factor on the development of business contacts, and a source of
aggravation for Australians of Uruguayan families. The latter is a factor of
some importance, because more than 10,000 Australian citizens were born in
Uruguay and it affects them and their extended families directly.[162]
4.175
When asked how serious a problem this is for Uruguayan visitors, the
Ambassador said:
I could spend my hour here talking about that issue. I am
pretty sure that most, if not all of my Latin American colleagues would agree,
because they all face most of these restrictions. ...If you want to really move
relations, at all levels, to another level, I think that considering
fundamental reform of the visa relationship with Latin American countries would
be fundamental.
By that, I do not mean getting rid of visas. You have visas
with everyone. The difference is that with certain countries you have
electronic visas. It is one thing to do the application in the comfort of your
chair on your computer and another thing to do the procedure which you
mentioned.
That affects both business and tourism. And tourism, of
course, is a service. It is dollars that come into here.[163]
4.176
The Ambassador also raised another visa problem that he found difficult
to understand:
An example of what I would consider to be the absurdity of
one area of the visa requirements is what I mentioned in Queensland. ... ’We
could have a comfortable flight to New Zealand, then fly out to Brisbane and
take the flight to Singapore’ But then you would say, ‘On the other hand, we
need a visa.’ Why? For transit!
But you don’t exit the transit lounge. ... You do not go
through Customs. You do not enter the country.
There are not going to be loads of Uruguayans coming in
transit, but that is just an example. ... The Argentines do not need a transit
visa. They are right across the river.
But much more important than that example, is that we cannot
get electronic visas for students. ... Given that you try to export educational
services, you should make it a little easier.[164]
4.177
The Ambassador also spoke about arrangements for working holidays. He
said that Uruguay has an arrangement with NZ that allows Uruguayans to visit
and work for six months. They do not need visas to enter NZ either as tourists
or on business. The Ambassador referred to a recent Australian study:
...about the consequences for the economy, beneficial or not,
of the program Australia does have, and it came out that people leave more
money here ... than the money that you might lose ... in having this program.[165]
4.178
Ambassador Fajardo was referring to a report by the National Institute
of Labour Studies at Flinders University. The report, Evaluation of
Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program, referring to working
holiday makers, found that:
They contribute more to total expenditure than they do to
earnings, and thus on balance make a small contribution to increasing the
demand for Australian workers. In this sense, the WHM is more a tourism export
program than a labour supply program.[166]
4.179
The other main issue raised by Uruguay concerned reciprocal visits by
Ministers and senior officials. The Ambassador said that such visits, and those
by parliamentary delegations could help to raise the profile of the Latin
American nations in Australia – he indicated that a visit by the Prime Minister
would be most welcome. He said:
These official visits send signals both in South America and
in Australia to people, to the economic agents. Latin America is not always on
the radar in Australia. ...[167]
4.180
The Ambassador indicated that there is considerable scope for expanding
trade and investment relations and referred to the close interaction between NZ
and Uruguay:
I used the example of New Zealand because it is a reality
that a small country has hundreds of millions of dollars of investment ...that it
and we are getting benefit from. If New Zealand can do it, there could be
opportunities in a lot of areas here, not only in the mining sector, which is
the natural sector to consider, but also in the agribusiness sector.
The South Island of New Zealand is full of Uruguayans
—agriculture students and people who have just graduated — who go for the
experience, for the English and to gain some practical experience.[168]
4.181
While referring to Uruguay’s relationship with NZ, Ambassador Fajardo
said that he felt that restarting talks between CER and MERCOSUR “would be very
important”. He said that he had been “trying to move it along” and added:
I am also the ambassador in Wellington so I have been busy
trying to send ideas there and back home and trying to move it along, because I
think it is very important.
Obviously we are not going to rush forward and sign an FTA
with CER any time soon, but there is a lot more that can be done in that
framework and I think it also sends an important message.
As I said ... the countries on the Atlantic coast of South
America sometimes feel a little left behind and left out of the Australian
world focus —although not the New Zealand focus.[169]
4.182
Ambassador Fajardo continued:
I have tried to encourage both in DFAT and in MFAT some kind
of ministerial declaration. Initially the reaction was, ‘No, that is too much.’
I said that we need something that will relaunch the dialogue.
If I sit there and relaunch the dialogue, no-one is really
going to pay that much attention. But if ministers say they are going to
relaunch the dialogue and focus on trade facilitation and so on, I think more
people will notice. We want people to notice. We want economic agents to notice
it.
We want people to say, ‘Okay, Australia is now focusing more
on South America, focusing more on the Atlantic coast countries and focusing on
Mercosur.’ I think it would be useful...
Ministers have said that we have got to do this. I hope it
takes place. I do not know if it is going to be ministerial. There has not been
too much interest in having it at ministerial level because it creates
obligations. I think we should encourage that kind of obligation.[170]
4.183
The Ambassador said he had proposed an MOU between Uruguay’s trade
promotion agency and Austrade, but had been told that it was not necessary. He
added that Uruguay had also suggested a bilateral trade and investment
framework agreement:
It is trade and investment. We are not going to be
negotiating tariffs. This is not a free trade agreement or any other kind of
trade agreement in that sense. It is a framework agreement, which establishes
that we are going to get together and talk about things that could improve
trade and investment without touching tariffs, because there are a lot of
non-tariff barriers which make a big difference: bio-security, labelling,
fumigation... There are a lot of things that could increase trade.
Plus there is transparency: what are the regulations, how can
we improve investment, what are the requirements? And it creates a certain
obligation to meet once a year, and that is going to encourage the visits, the
delegations, that you were talking about.
Ambassador Fajardo added that in
response to the request for a framework agreement, Australia has proposed an
MOU on trade and investment instead.[171]
Recommendation 9
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The Sub-Committee considers that the introduction of
electronic visa applications would be an excellent, and inexpensive, way to
assist in improving trade and investment relations with the countries of Latin
America. It would have valuable spin-off benefits for the tourism industry
and would also facilitate business travel to Australia.
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Recommendation 10
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The Sub-Committee recommends that the Government review the
processing of applications by skilled migrants and, where appropriate, seek
ways to fast track the recognition of their skills.
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Recommendation 11
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The Sub-Committee also recommends that urgent attention be
given to achieving mutual recognition of university qualification between
Australia and the countries of Latin America. This would assist the efforts
of Australia’s universities to attract post-graduate students, who might
otherwise go to American or British universities. It would also assist
tourism through attracting the relatives and friends of such students to
visit Australia.
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Recommendation 12
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Allied to the previous recommendation, the Sub-Committee
recommends the adoption of a “working holiday” scheme for visitors from Latin
America. At present, visitors from 27 countries can access such arrangements,
but of the Latin American countries only Chile is included in that list.
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Recommendation 13
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All of the Latin American Ambassadors indicated how much
they appreciated visits by Ministers, particularly at the head of business
delegations, and by Parliamentary representatives. The Sub-Committee
recommends that increased priority be assigned to visits such as these to the
countries of Latin America – in line with the Government’s declared intention
to engage more closely with Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Recommendation 14
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That COAG make improved cooperation between the Commonwealth
and the States, and between the States themselves, a high priority – to
achieve higher levels of efficiency in the transport and logistics supply
chains, provision of infrastructure, and trade facilitation.
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