Austrade media release

Monday, August 4 2008

The book Emissaries of Trade – a History of the Australian Trade Commissioner Service written by eminent academic, Boris Schedvin, Professor Emeritus of the University of Melbourne will be launched today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, John Murphy, in Melbourne.

Emissaries of Trade traces the history of Australia’s trade commissioner service from pre-federation to the formation of Austrade in 1986.

Over this period, Australian trade promotion evolved from the appointment of trade envoys by individual colonies, and later the states, to a geographically diverse and enduring service coordinated by the Commonwealth Government.

The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, said the trade commissioner service has made a major contribution to advancing the trade interests of Australia in varying and difficult circumstances for more than eight decades.

“The objective of consolidating and expanding our international markets has been one supported by successive governments both before and after federation,” Mr Crean said.

“Today, one in five Australian jobs depends on exports, which amount to around 20 per cent of our gross domestic product. The interest of the government in continuing to consolidate and expand our international markets therefore remains as relevant today as it was before federation,” he said.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, John Murphy, will officially launch Emissaries of Trade – A History of the Australian Trade Commissioner Service among a business and government audience in Melbourne. Professor Schedvin will attend.

“Professor Schedvin is an eminent Australian economic historian and Emissaries of Trade is a valuable tool for our present day trade commissioners and exporters. The book is an inspiring account of the important role of trade commissioners in helping shape Australia’s export community,” Mr Murphy said.

“Many Australian businesses are not just exporters to one country or one region, but global players involved in foreign direct investment, joint ventures, strategic alliances and global supply chains. The Government is providing these businesses with assistance to succeed in this international market place,” he said.

Austrade’s CEO Peter O’Byrne said many of today’s Australian enterprises are growing and prospering in international markets.

“The overriding insight to emerge from the book is the importance of having skilled and motivated people with knowledge of local markets ‘on the ground’ to cultivate business relationships and pursue opportunities for exports,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“While communications technologies and improvements in business processes have revolutionised the technicalities of trade, the human touch and on-ground experience in understanding the intricacies of individual markets and fostering relationships and building contacts have remained constant.  

“Australia's traditional strengths in resources and agriculture remain major contributors to our export performance, but a broad range of companies and sectors are represented as exporters today. This reflects the increasing diversity of Australia's export businesses,” he said.

ENDS

Media contact

Caroline James
Mob: +61 413 481 579 

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.