THE conclusion of free trade agreements with Korea and Japan are a significant win for agriculture, services, mining and resources and consumers and will help create jobs and strengthen both our region and the nation's economy, Federal Member for Lyne David Gillespie said.
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Dr Gillespie said he expected a number of opportunities would open up to the region's producers and exporters as a result of the latest agreements.
"Agreements like these are an important driver of economic growth and jobs. One in four jobs in regional Australia are dependent on exporters, and to complete two agreements with major trading partners in Asia is only going to provide more opportunity for our local exporters and service providers here on the Mid North Coast," Dr Gillespie said.
"One of our local exporters, Cassegrain Wines, is very excited about the possibilities ahead."
John Cassegrain said the Cassegrain Wines team is very pleased with the concessions negotiated on behalf of the industry.
"The 15 per cent import tariff will be phased out over seven years. This will give our wines an immediate advantage over key competitors, such as France, Italy and the USA, and because the agreement negotiated by the government results in a faster tariff elimination than Chile secured, which is emerging as a key competitor in many export markets, it will quickly help level the playing field with Chile," Mr Cassegrain said.
Japan has been the key export market for Cassegrain Wines since 1987 when the company first began exporting.
Excited: Wine maker John Cassegrain, left, and Member for Lyne David Gillespie discuss the new concessions negotiated for Australian exports to Japan and Korea.
