Towards a Possible Australia-Korea FTA
Guidance on Preparing Submissions
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade welcomes public submissions and comment on a possible Australia-Korea FTA.Your written submission may take several forms – from a short email through to a more comprehensive analytical paper.
In your submission, you may wish to focus on specific market access challenges and other issues of importance in the Korean commercial operating environment, particularly with respect to trade in goods and services, and investment.Alternatively, you may wish to raise more general issues associated with the impact of an FTA on Australia.
Overall, the Government is inviting stakeholders to consider and comment on the commercial, economic, regional, social, cultural, regulatory and environmental impacts that could be expected to arise from Australia’s participation in an FTA with Korea.
In terms of goods (merchandise) trade, we are interested in gauging stakeholder views concerning issues associated with market access including, but not limited to, tariffs, import licencing, technical barriers to trade (for example certification and standards) and rules of origin issues.
In the case of services, stakeholder views might include comment on issues such asforeign equity limitations and other conditions, qualifications recognition, limitations on branch offices, licensing, and visa and residency issues.In the area of investment, we would welcome stakeholder views on issues including, but not limited to, conditions and restrictions on foreign investment (including in particular sectors), transfers of capital and profit repatriation, joint venture regulations and licence requirements.
We also welcome your views on any cross-sectoral problems that you anticipate, or have encountered, in doing business with Korea that could be addressed through this FTA.These concerns may include intellectual property rights, transparency of government regulations, tendering processes, government procurement or competition-related issues. Observations based on past experience in Korea or in other markets that may have some bearing upon the proposed FTA negotiations would be received with interest.
In making your submission, please indicate whether you or your organisation would want your submission to be made publicly available – unless notified otherwise, we would intend to place submissions on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Those intending to submit are encouraged to do so either electronically to KoreaFTA@dfat.gov.au, or by post or fax to:
Korea FTA Task Force
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BartonACT0221
Fax:(02) 6261 2187
Return to main Australia-Korea FTA Negotiations webpage