Governor Bob Riley will lead a trade mission to Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, June 18-27, 2009. The principal objective of this mission is to assist Alabama’s small- and medium-sized businesses to gain valuable insights and qualified contacts in this significant market.

In 2007, Australia was Alabama’s 11th-largest export market with over $203.8 million of goods and services delivered. Top Alabama products include, but are not limited to, material handling equipment, medical equipment and supplies, aircraft parts, industrial/mining machinery, vehicle parts, military equipment, and textiles.

The United States is Australia’s top trading partner in terms of imports, well ahead of China and Japan. Since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 2004, Alabama exports have increased 65 percent, more than the national average of 22 percent. This has led to more jobs, greater revenue, and prosperity throughout the State of Alabama.

For more information on this trade mission or to register, contact Hilda Lockhart, Director of International Trade: 334.242.0442 or hilda.lockhart@ado.alabama.gov. Deadline to register is April 24, 2009.

To learn more about Australia’s markets, click on the drop-down menu below. For additional market reports, contact trade.info@ado.alabama.gov.