Chief Minister Andrew Barr is likely to raise the prospect of Singapore Airlines returning to the national capital. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has flown to Thailand today as part of a week-long ASEAN trade mission to the region, his fourth overseas trip this year.
Mr Barr will also visit Singapore for two days.
The mission has the backing of the Australian Government. It aligns with its Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which focuses on deepening investment and identifies education, skills and services to drive stronger economic engagement with the region.
The mission, the ACT’s first to Thailand, also builds on the outcomes of the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
Mr Barr said the mission aims to attract investment from Thailand and Singapore in Canberra, particularly in the tourism, hospitality, and education sectors.
There was 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-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA),” he said.
“We’ll be looking at opportunities to diversify investment and promote Canberra’s key strengths – particularly in our university and tourism sectors.”
The Australia-Thailand Strategic Economic Cooperation Arrangement (2022) prioritises tourism, education, healthcare, digital trade and the digital economy, the creative economy, two-way investment, energy, the green economy and decarbonisation, and agriculture, including sustainable food systems and technology.
The mission will focus on these areas, with the support of Austrade and DFAT.
While in Thailand, the Chief Minister will deliver a keynote address at a reception hosted by the Australian Ambassador and meet with 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,” he said.
“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.”
Mr Barr is likely to raise the prospect of Singapore Airlines returning to the national capital, particularly with Qatar Airways resuming its Canberra connection in December.
The cost of the Chief Minister’s participation is about $9500, his office said.
This was met from within the existing ACT Executive budget. The final cost would be reported as part of the regular quarterly travel reports.
