IN FOCUS
Australia Signs Contract for Participation in Expo 2010
Australia marked an important milestone in its preparations for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo with the signing of the official Contract of Participation on 3 July by the Commissioner General for Australia, Mr Peter Tesch, and the Director-General of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination, Mr Hong Hao.
This important step formalises Australia's commitment to what will be the biggest world expo in history and follows the Government's commitment of $61 million in this year's federal budget.
The Shanghai World Expo will take place between 1 May and 31 October 2010. Over 170 countries and 30 international organisations are expected to take part and it is estimated that the Expo will attract more than 70 million visitors.
The Trade Minister, Simon Crean, visited the site of the Shanghai World Expo during his trip to China in April.
"For Australian companies, the Expo represents a wealth of opportunities", Mr Crean said.
"There will be opportunities for companies to participate in trade missions, business networking events and sectoral promotions, to become corporate sponsors and to take part in the project’s procurement process," he said.
Joint Statement: Foreign Ministers of Australia and Thailand
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, HE Mr Noppadon Pattama, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, met in Bangkok on 4 July 2008, during Mr Smith’s first visit to Thailand as Foreign Minister.
Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith visited two great examples of collaboration between the people of Thailand and Australia, which underscore the strength and depth of bilateral relations between our two nations.
Australia Helping Vietnam Fight Corruption
Australia will provide up to $500,000 to help train senior members of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam in fighting corruption.
Australia to Help Improve Reliability of Mekong Rural Electricity Supplies
Australia is helping the Asian region meet its rapidly growing energy demands in a sustainable way.
Australia Posts April Trade Surplus
Australia has recorded its first trade surplus in more than six years in April, according to revised estimates of these figures released by the ABS this morning.