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�������� welcomes the announcement that the Australian Government has launched a Digital Trade Strategy to improve access to overseas markets and support new trade opportunities and job creation.

The announcement was made late last week by Australia’s Minister for Trade, Hon. Dan Tehan who said, “the strategy set out the Morrison Government's focus on digital trade through trade facilitation, trust, cross-border flows of data, and cooperation”.

A pivotal element of the Digital Trade Strategy is the vision to engage internationally, influencing the development of international rules and standards for digital trade and technologies.

This work will ensure Australian businesses, workers and consumers are able to benefit from an open, reliable, and interoperable environment for digital trade.

“The Digital Trade Strategy provides a framework for Australia to maximise economic growth. This strategy will support Australia’s voice in shaping the standards and rules that govern digital trade”, said Adrian O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of ��������.

“Industry-led, voluntary, consensus-based international standards play a critical role in allowing Australian business to compete successfully in the global economy. Internationally aligned standards support consistency and interoperability across borders, and reduce barriers to trade, particularly when they are incorporated into regulatory approaches”.

“�������� contributed to the drafting of the Digital Trade Strategy, and we are committed to supporting its implementation. We will continue to support Australia’s active participation in international bodies, like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and are committed to undertaking capacity building activities in the region to support economic integration”, concluded Mr O’Connell. ��

To find out more about the Digital Trade Strategy, visit - .