AUTRALIA-OPENING THE DOORS TO ASIA.
A deal, to be signed on Friday night, will slash tariffs on Australian beef, live cattle exports, and sheep and goat meat to South-East Asia. This will be a big boost to the live shipping trade as well as the beef and lamb industry.
Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean will sign the free trade agreement with the 10 members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The deal is expected to come into effect at the start of 2010 and has been well received by the industry.