View the report as separate downloadable parts:
Foreword
Members
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Trade Sub Committee
Secretariat
Terms of Reference
Abbreviations
List of Recommendations
1. Introduction
Conduct of the inquiry
Geographical scope of the inquiry
Definition of SMEs
Australian Bureau of Statistics data on SME exporters
SMEs exporting goods and utilising FTAs
Australia’s free trade agreement agenda and SMEs
Government aim to support SMEs benefit from FTAs
Overview of the inquiry
2. SMEs' experiences, challenges and opportunities with FTAs
SMEs’ experiences with FTAs and most targeted markets
Australia’s growing wine exports into Asia
Challenges for SME exporters to utilise FTAs
Tariff market access and rules of origin
Non-tariff barriers and SMEs
Opportunities for SMEs with FTAs
3. Consideration of what issues, products and services are negotiated in FTAs
Negotiation process for FTAs
FTA prioritisation for advanced technology and services
Tariffs
Accessing Certificates and Declarations of Origin
Non-tariff measures
Industry, Innovation & Science Department role in FTAs
Jobs and Small Business Department advice on FTAs
Consultation on FTAs with business community
Consultation on FTAs by other government departments
Harmonising Australia’s free trade agreements
Addressing the needs of SMEs in FTAs
Market access protocols for food in FTAs
Seeking an economic partnership with Taiwan
Considerations for the FTA with the European Union
Mining equipment, technology and services sector in FTAs
4. Awareness of, and accessibility to, free trade agreements
Raising awareness of FTAs and SMEs’ trade opportunities
More effectively measuring SMEs utilisation of FTAs
FTAs are complex evolving instruments
Challenges for SMEs when utilising FTAs for exports
FTA seminars and workshops
Improving resources for regional exporters
5. Lessons learnt from attempts at leveraging FTAs
How SME exporters benefit from freer trade
Economic analysis of the impact of FTAs on SMEs
Assisting regional SME exporters
Australian SMEs require long term strategies
SMEs contribute to reviews of FTAs and make changes
Sports diplomacy and building trade with China
6. Role and effectiveness of support structures and networks in helping leverage FTAs
Communicating the benefits of FTAs to SMEs
The role of Austrade in supporting exporters
Supporting trade delegations to or from overseas markets
Expanding the Export Market Development Grants scheme
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science role
Victorian Chamber’s role in encouraging exporters
Asialink Business’ role in helping SMEs export to Asia
The role of the Department of Home Affairs in exports
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ role
Development of a single window for trade
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation’s role in trade
Private sector trade finance
Government’s FTA information seminars
In-market activities by Government
Government hotlines and mailboxes for exporters
Government’s publications and online resources
Improved infrastructure for regional traders
State government trade resources and ‘Team Australia’
Role of customs brokers in helping SMEs utilise FTAs
Wine Australia and the regional wine support package
Establishing an SMEs’ council to represent SMEs
7. Ongoing capacity building to create opportunities and more value from future FTAs
Government efforts to increase SME utilisation of FTAs
Training Provider (FTA-TP) grants.
Subsidising SMEs to access the services of customs brokers
Asialink Business recommendations to build capacity
Bolstering trade links for SMEs with Europe
Impact of migration policies and diaspora on trade
A. Oral submissions
B. Written submissions
C. Exhibits
D. Public hearings