Doing business with Australia

The Australian Government's ambitious trade policy is geared towards increasing economic activity, creating jobs and getting a fair deal for Australia in the international marketplace.

The Minister for Trade and Tourism in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for negotiating with foreign governments to ensure better trade conditions for Australian products. The Australian Government pursues this goal at every level:

Multilaterally through the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by negotiating trade agreements which provide the legal ground-rules for international trade;
Regionally through Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and other international forums by strengthening regional trade links and pursuing common trade and economic goals;
Bilaterally through the negotiation of free trade agreements, such as with Singapore, Thailand and the United States that deliver substantial gains to Australia and which cannot be achieved in a similar timeframe elsewhere.

Australia also works to expand markets and address market barriers in a range of countries and sectors, including Japan and China.

Australia’s trade relations with Belgium and Luxembourg

Belgium is an important destination for Australian coal, copper, steel and metal ores. Other major export items from Australia to Belgium include alcoholic beverages, pearls and gems, wool and confidential items (e.g. diamonds).

Despite being one of the smaller European countries, Belgium has a comparatively strong medical device market with a relatively straightforward reimbursement system. Belgium has a state-of-the-art telecommunications system and transport infrastructure, a highly productive, multilingual workforce and a government eager to attract foreign investment. Its strategic position in the centre of Europe and its transport links make it ideal for distribution activities.

Austrade (Australian Trade Commission)

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade, investment and education promotion agency. It has identified potential opportunities for Australian suppliers of goods and services in a number of sectors in Belgium and Luxembourg. Austrade's Belgium and Luxembourg country pages supply general information on doing business and on specific export opportunities. Its website also has a database that can be searched by industry and country.

Please note that the Australian Embassy in Brussels does not have an Austrade section.

The Austrade office in Paris can provide advice on accessing opportunities in Belgium and Luxembourg. The office can be contacted at:

Austrade Paris
4 rue Jean Rey
75015 Paris
France

Tel: +33 1 56 77 12 42
Fax: +33 1 40 59 33 22
Website
or send an e-mail
Operating hours: 10h00 - 17h00

Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement

Australia and the European Union (EU) launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) on 18 June 2018. As a bloc, the EU is one of Australia's largest trading partners, and major source of foreign investment.

Australia’s Export Opportunities to the EU

Though the EU is already one of Australia's largest trade and investment partners there are opportunities to expand the trade and investment relationship. With its abundant natural resources, Australia is well placed to be a reliable and efficient supplier of raw materials and energy to Europe to support the green and digital transition. For information on export opportunities, see the Austrade country profiles for the various member states.

Exporting to Australia

Belgian or Luxembourg companies wishing to sell products and services to Australia or to obtain details on import regulations into Australia should contact the Belgium Trade Commission at www.abh-ace.be/fr/ (French), http://www.abh-ace.be/nl/ (Dutch) or Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office respectively.

Doing business with Australia

Doing business with Australia

Australia’s trade relations with Belgium and Luxembourg

Austrade (Australian Trade Commission)

Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement

Australia’s Export Opportunities to the EU

Exporting to Australia

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