TRADE MATTERS 2012 Tasmania – state trade with the world

Tasmania is among the world's best suppliers of premium food, agricultural and seafood products. The state also has diverse and rich renewable energy assets (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal and marine energy) and is striving to become an exporter with a focus on innovation. As Australia's Antarctic Gateway, Tasmania is internationally renowned for research in marine, atmospheric and Antarctic science.

About Tasmania

Tasmania's goods and services exports were valued at $3.5 billion in 2011. Key exports for Tasmania in 2011 were zinc, aluminium, iron ores and copper ores. Tasmania accounted for 1 per cent of Australia's total exports in 2011.

2010-11 economic indicators

Why Tasmania trades

• Trade gives Tasmanians the chance to choose from a wide range of competitively priced goods and services from around the world.
• Both exports and imports create jobs. One in five Australian jobs is directly related to trade.
• Tasmania's exports are equal to 14.2 per cent of Gross State Product, building wealth and prosperity.
• Foreign investment plays an important role in the Tasmania's economic development and provides capital to fund business expansion.

How the Australian Government encourages Tasmania's trade

The Australian Government is helping Tasmanian exporters to become even more competitive by further reforming the domestic economy. The Government is investing in skills, education, the National Broadband Network and other infrastructure, as well as engaging in tax reform and cutting regulatory red tape.

The Government is also working to increase market access and improve conditions for exporters overseas by advancing multilateral trade liberalisation through the World Trade Organization, facilitating greater regional trade, and removing bilateral trade barriers.

Tasmania and Australia's FTAs

• Tasmania's unspoiled marine environment is a major source of fish, crustaceans and other seafood that are exported to regional markets, including New Zealand and Singapore. Seafood exports are tariff-free under our respective FTAs with these countries, increasing their export competitiveness.
• Since the entry-into-force of the AUSFTA, the value of Tasmanian beef exports to the United States has increased by over 30 per cent. The AUSFTA has already eased some restrictions on the export of Australian beef to the United States, ahead of unlimited duty-free access in 2023.
• Of Tasmania's top 10 merchandise trading partners, four (the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand) are covered by existing FTA arrangements, while another four (Japan, China, South Korea and India) are currently in FTA negotiations with Australia.

Information and contacts

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Advancing Australia's interests overseas
www.dfat.gov.au/trade

DFAT state office contact details
www.dfat.gov.au/hobart
03 6238 4099

State government contact
www.tasmanianow.com

Austrade
Information for new and existing exporters
www.austrade.gov.au
13 28 78

Australia's Free Trade Agreements
www.fta.gov.au