Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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Australia's exports of goods and services rose for the seventh consecutive quarter reaching $39.7 billion in the March quarter 2005, and were 12 per cent higher than the March quarter 2004.
The stronger export performance was due mainly to higher exports of services. Australia's terms of trade also continued to strengthen, reaching its highest level since 1974.
The export results are highlighted in the March quarter 2005 issue of Trade Topics: A Quarterly Review of Australia's International Trade, released today by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Trade Topics brings together a range of statistical information produced by Australian government agencies and international organisations, together with analysis of the latest trade developments, designed to keep Australians informed of market conditions and trends.
This issue of Trade Topics features a number of articles on free trade agreements (FTAs). 'Australia's Free Trade Agreement Agenda' sets out the Government's current policy on FTAs while another two articles discuss the current Australia-China, ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand and Australia–Malaysia FTA negotiations. An article investigating Australia's current commercial ties with the United Arab Emirates provides valuable background to the Australia-UAE FTA being negotiated. Other articles focus on the 2005 Trade Statement; Australia's growing services trade; and the direction of merchandise trade.
Trade Topics includes quarterly and annual data on Australia's trade in goods and services by commodity, market, level of processing, and State and Territory as well as selected macroeconomic, commodity price and investment information.
The publication (priced at $95 for an annual subscription and published quarterly) is a new addition to a series of trade publications published each year by DFAT. Copies can be purchased through the Market Information and Analysis Section (ph 02 6261 3114, fax 02 6261 3321 or email statssection@dfat.gov.au). The analysis and summary tables from publications, and an order form, are available at Statistical publications.
Media Inquiries: DFAT Media Liaison 02 6261 1555