The Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) contains Australia's inaugural Indigenous chapter in a free trade agreement (Chapter 17), titled Indigenous Trade and Investment Economic Cooperation.
This Chapter, and other Articles across CEPA, promote joint cooperation activities as the foundation for First Nations businesses to launch into the UAE and broader region. CEPA also elevates First Nations perspectives across environment, sustainable agriculture, intellectual property protection and investment.
First Nations voices were integral to embedding First Nations perspectives in the CEPA. Through the pilot First Nations Trade and Investment Advisory Group, First Nations perspectives will continue to guide CEPA's implementation.
This outcome forms part of the Australian Government's broader First Nations International Engagement agenda.
Are you a First Nations business interested in exporting to the UAE?
The following are some helpful links for First Nations businesses interested in exporting to the UAE.
Austrade
Austrade supports First Nations businesses to export goods or services through its export programs globally and its visitor economy THRIVE 2030 Strategy. This support is a priority of the Australian Government's commitment to First Nations economic uplift.
Export readiness guide
Create your own exporting strategy using our tools and market advice at the Go Global Toolkit.
The toolkit offers:
- online quizzes to help you understand if your business is ready to export
- help to find the best markets for your products
- information about regulatory, customs and business requirements of overseas markets, including the UAE.
Export Market Development Grants
An Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) can help you promote your goods and services to the world. Whatever stage you're at in your export journey, an EMDG could boost your marketing results.
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) has an important role driving efforts to improve First Nations economic empowerment.
DISR's business outreach and support services, such as the business.gov.au website and its associated contact centre, and AusIndustry Regional Managers, provide information, opportunities, connections that may improve economic outcomes for First Nations businesses. This includes providing advice to innovative small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) about the Industry Growth Program funding to commercialise their ideas and grow their business. DISR's Business Grants Hub (BGH) supports First Nations economic empowerment through the provision of accessible and streamlined grant administration that connects First Nations businesses to funding opportunities.
The business.gov.au Grant finder tool lists federal, state and territory opportunities for business in one place. There is a specific question and filter to show Indigenous business opportunities.
Export Finance Australia
Export Finance Australia (EFA) is Australia's export credit agency, supporting Australian exports and overseas infrastructure development with flexible finance solutions.
EFA helps Australian businesses take on the world. From small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporates, foreign governments and infrastructure projects.
EFA provides a range of finance solutions, including loans, bonds, guarantees and, in limited circumstances, equity. From an online unsecured loan to help with cash flow, to a flexible multi-option facility that could include a longer-term loan and bonds, EFA experts take the time to understand your needs, so you can focus on growing your business.
Office for the Arts
The Office for the Arts supports inclusiveness and growth in Australia's arts, entertainment and cultural sector, and we protect its workforces and promote Australian content and culture through existing functions and the five-year National Cultural Policy, Revive.
The Australian Government has committed to introducing new laws to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultural expressions, including to address the harm caused by fake art, merchandise and souvenirs.
Resale Royalty Rights
In Australia, the Resale Royalty Scheme entitles artists to a five percent royalty on eligible resales of their original works valued at $1,000 or more in Australia and access the resale royalty schemes of other countries with which Australia has entered into reciprocal arrangements.
The Resale Royalty Scheme is managed by Copyright Agency, Australia's appointed collecting society, which collects and distributes the royalties to those eligible artists and families.
There may be opportunities in the future for Australia and the UAE to negotiate formal reciprocal arrangements.
IP Australia
Protect your intellectual property
Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind. It could include a brand, logo, invention, design, artistic work, or new plant variety.
Consider whether you should protect your trade mark, patent, design or plant breeder's right in Australia first. Protection for copyright in Australia is free and automatic.
Having an Australian registered IP right doesn't automatically protect your trade mark, patent, design or plant breeder's right in the UAE. You may want to consider applying to protect your IP in the UAE.
Protecting your IP rights in the UAE can increase your competitive advantage and reduce your risk of infringing existing IP.
Next steps
IP Australia administers IP rights for trade marks, patents, designs and plant breeder's rights in Australia. For information about copyright, please see the Attorney General's Department's website
- Read IP Australia's page on IP in the UAE
- Read IP Australia's page on Protecting Indigenous Knowledge in your business
- Get professional advice. IP lawyers and consultants can help you register IP rights. They can also help you develop a strategy, from creation through to enforcement.