One year has passed since APEC Leaders adopted the APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap and its Implementation Plan. “Services business leaders are encouraged that APEC economies are largely on track to spur trade in services and achieve the Roadmap targets, so that exports and imports of services from APEC as a whole exceed the global average […]
Media Releases
Global Services Coalition Message to Ambassadors and Chief Negotiators of the TiSA Countries
The Global Services Coalition is disappointed that it proved necessary to cancel the Ministerial Meeting that was scheduled for the 5th and 6th of December 2016 with the aim of bringing the TiSA negotiations to a timely close. We recognize and appreciate the tremendous effort that you have made in the negotiations and regret that […]
ASR welcomes the signing of the Agreement to Amend the Singapore – Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA)
Australian Services Roundtable (ASR) congratulates Australia’s Trade Minister, the Hon Steven Ciobo on the signing of the Agreement to Amend the 2003 Singapore – Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The Agreement to Amend SAFTA formalises the trade outcomes announced on 6 May 2016 by Prime Minister Turnbull and his Singaporean counterpart, Prime Minister Lee Hsien […]
All Hands on Deck – Australian SMEs to Self-Mentor
With service sector activity falling to its lowest level in almost two years, Australian SMEs will join together to uniquely self-mentor one another in innovation, internationalisation, digitisation and growth. In light of the service sector’s decline and the recent focus on supporting start-ups, including the federal government’s $23m Incubator Support program, Australian Services Roundtable (ASR) […]
Global Services Coalition presses for strong and clear TiSA provisions on Data Localization
The Global Services Coalition is urging TiSA negotiators to redouble their efforts to reach agreement on strong and effective rules for all services sectors guaranteeing free flow of data and prohibiting forced data localisation. The Global Services Coalition speaks for the services sector in Coalition members’ respective countries, particularly in matters of international trade and […]
Australia well placed to thrive in Asia’s knowledge economies, but competition is intensifying
Growing Knowledge Economies report reveals opportunities for Australian business to capitalise on surging demand for professional services in the region. (Melbourne, 16 June 2016) Australian legal and management consulting firms are well-positioned to tap into growing opportunities in Asian markets, but a significant shift in mindsets and strategy is required, according to a new report […]
Future Economy Forum calls for Federal Election debates to focus on jobs of the future
A coalition of leading industry groups has called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to focus on where Australia’s jobs of the future will come from when they kick off the first of a series of leaders’ debates tomorrow night. The Future Economy Forum, representing the super-growth sectors of the future, […]
Future Economy Forum: Budget Should Map out Strategy for Australia’s Future Economy
The Government must seize the upcoming Federal Budget to set out a dedicated economic strategy that will invest in the nation’s super growth industries of the future – agribusiness, tourism, international education, financial services and information technology – according to a coalition of leading industry groups, the Future Economy Forum. The Future Economy Forum, representing […]
ASR Welcomes the outcomes from the Third Review of the Australia – Singapore Free Trade Agreement
The Australian Services Roundtable (ASR) has congratulated, Australia’s Trade Minister, the Hon Steven Ciobo on the conclusion of the Third Review of the 2003 Singapore – Australia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). The review brings about certainty for services firms in a range of areas and creates an economic relationship which will enhance trade opportunities for […]
ASR and Global Service Coalition urges TiSA negotiators to complete high ambition agreement
As the 17th round of the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) negotiations is currently underway in Geneva this week, the Global Services Coalition (GSC), representing services enterprises and sector-specific services associations in our respective countries and regions, call on the trade negotiators to intensify efforts toward a high ambition agreement. The GSC is encouraged by […]