Released 07/10/2025
The Chief Minister commences an ACT Government ASEAN trade mission tomorrow in Thailand.
The week-long mission marks the first ACT Government trade mission to Thailand and extends our ASEAN engagement as foreshadowed in Canberra’s International Engagement Strategy.
The mission is being supported by the Australian Government and aligns with their Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which focuses on deepening investment and identifies education, skills and services as drivers of stronger economic engagement. The mission also builds on the outcomes of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
The Chief Minister said the mission will focus on exploring direct investment opportunities from Thailand and Singapore into Canberra, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and increasing awareness in Bangkok of Canberra’s higher education offerings.
“Thailand is a key market we are seeking to strengthen ties with as part of our International Engagement Strategy with a focus on areas aligned with the Thailand-Australian Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA). We’ll be looking at opportunities to diversify investment and promote Canberra’s key strengths – particularly in our university and tourism sectors” the Chief Minister said.
The Australia/Thailand Strategic Economic Cooperation Arrangement (2022) prioritises eight key sectors including tourism, education, healthcare, digital trade and digital economy, creative economy, two-way investment, energy, green economy and decarbonisation, and agriculture, sustainable food systems and technology. With the support of Austrade and DFAT, the mission will focus on these areas.
While in Thailand, the Chief Minister will deliver a keynote address at a reception hosted by the Australian Ambassador and meet with key government and tourism industry representatives, including the Minister of Commerce and the Thailand Board of Investment. A roundtable with Thai higher education agents will also be held.
The two-day Singapore leg of the mission aligns with two significant milestones - the 60th anniversary of Australia-Singapore diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
A number of trade and investment opportunities will be pursued through meetings and events with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AustCham) and Australian Alumni Singapore (AAS). The Chief Minister will also deliver a keynote address at a tourism and aviation luncheon with Singapore Airlines hosted by the Australian High Commissioner.
“The ACT has strong existing ties with Singapore, and we are looking at ways we can expand on these, through tourism and aviation partnerships, but also through trade opportunities.
“This mission demonstrates the ACT’s ongoing commitment to enhancing international partnerships that bring direct investment to Canberra, and direct value to our economy and our community.
“Our trade focus is guided by our International Engagement Strategy and supported in market through strong partnerships with the Australian Government.”
The cost of the Chief Minister’s participation is approximately $9,500. This is met from within the existing ACT Executive budget. The final cost will be reported as part of the regular quarterly travel reports.
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Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases