This month’s International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne from November 10-12 has attracted support of the Australian Federal Government with confirmation of the attendance of Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia Josh Frydenberg and a keynote address from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
IMARC event director Anita Richards said Minister Frydenberg’s attendance further reinforced the national significance of the conference and exhibition, and the Minister would take the opportunity to specifically engage with the international delegations present.
She said the event would provide a unique opportunity to hear high-level updates on resources related opportunities and challenges of global significance, with confirmed ministerial representation from Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam, Ecuador, Chile, Ethiopia, Republic of Guinea, Iran, Kenya, Ukraine and Mali.
Minister Frydenberg will visit the IMARC conference and exhibition on day three of the event, Thursday, November 12.
Separately, the latest addition to the IMARC program is DFAT First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Trade Negotiations Ms Elizabeth Ward, who was Australia’s chief negotiator in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP).
Elizabeth Ward will address the Mining Summit stream of the conference after lunch on Tuesday, November 10, providing insights into TPP outcomes and benefits as well as Australia’s trade policy for resources and beyond.
“The first round of TPP negotiations was held in Melbourne in March 2010 and being a participant in negotiations since the beginning has enabled Australia to seize a strategic opportunity to shape the rules that will govern trade in the region,” Elizabeth Ward said.
There are currently 12 parties involved in the TPP – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
“These parties support expanding TPP membership to other economies in the Asia-Pacific region, however, prospective new members must demonstrate a commitment to achieving an ambitious, comprehensive outcome in the TPP.”
Elizabeth Ward said the TPP agreement would provide Australian companies with access to new markets, given Australia did not have free trade agreements with three of the current TPP negotiating parties, being Canada, Mexico and Peru.
“For exporters of goods, TPP leaders are committed to the elimination of tariffs, while for service providers Australia is pushing for a reduction of business barriers. The TPP will also create new opportunities for investors and provide more transparent rules for Australian investors in TPP countries.”
IMARC has support from Australia’s three key industry associations: Austmine (the peak industry body representing the METS industry), AusIMM (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy) and AMMA (Australian Mines and Metals Association), in addition to full support from the State Government of Victoria.www.imarcmelbourne.com