Australia and Canada ink major trade agreement

The Business Council of Australia and the Business Council of Canada have signed a pivotal memorandum of understanding to accelerate trade and investment between the two nations.

The agreement was formalised on March 5 on the sidelines of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's official visit to Australia, underscoring a deepening bilateral relationship.

The MOU, witnessed by Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and NSW Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong, establishes a strategic framework to enhance business-to-business engagement.

By identifying fresh avenues for capital flow, the councils aim to leverage the shared strengths of their resource-rich, open economies.

BCA CEO Bran Black emphasised the domestic impact of the deal, noting that with trade supporting one in four Australian jobs and nearly 46% of the national GDP, such global partnerships deliver "real benefits for all Australians."

Black highlighted the natural synergy between the two constitutional monarchies, citing their mutual commitment to the rule of law and free trade.

Echoing this sentiment, BCC President and CEO Goldy Hyder identified energy, mining, innovation, and infrastructure as key sectors for collaborative growth.

Both leaders noted that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership continues to provide a robust foundation for this expanding $30 billion-plus relationship.