Ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on 4-6 March, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the opportunity to explore the trade and investment opportunities presented by the Southeast Asian region.

“In September last year, the government launched its Southeast Asian Economic Strategy which pointed to opportunities across ten key industry sectors. With ASEAN delegations in Australia to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, ACCI looks forward to participating in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit,” ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said.

“Business has a key role to play in realising the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy’s goals to grow trade and investment to benefit both sides. The focus on business at the summit is proof positive that the government understands this.”

“There is no substitute for face-to-face connections. This week’s summit is a step in the right direction as we work to build these valuable business-to-business connections with Southeast Asian trade and investment partners.”

Mr McKellar will participate in the CEO Forum scheduled for Tuesday 5 March.

ACCI, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, will also partner with the Australian Made Campaign to host a promotional stall at a marketplace for SME Conference attendees, highlighting the role of the Australian Made Campaign and ACCI’s chamber network in every state and territory in supporting Australian exporters.

As a bloc, ASEAN is Australia’s second-largest two-way trading partner, encompassing five of Australia’s top 15 export markets. In 2022, Australia and ASEAN traded $177 billion in goods and services.