Helping Georgia manufacturers and exporters take advantage of the Australia-U.S. Trade Agreement that was effective Jan. 1, will be the focus of a luncheon briefing at the World Trade Center Atlanta on Thursday, Feb 3, said the Australian consul general and senior trade commissioner in Atlanta, Amanda Hodges.
Adam McCarthy, commercial counselor with the Australian Embassy in Washington, will deliver the briefing from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Ms. Hodges arrived earlier in the month from Milan, Italy and replaces former Consul General David Crook, who returned to Australia last month.
According to Ms. Hodges, two-way trade between the two countries reached $40.9 billion in 2003 and Australia is the 13th largest market for Georgia goods, including high-end products such as passenger vehicles, telecommunications equipment and tractors.
“This is the first briefing in Atlanta targeting Georgia manufacturers, including both small-to-medium and large companies, “ she said. With the new agreement, Ms. Hodges said, U.S. manufacturers received the largest immediate tariff reduction ever achieved by a bi-lateral agreement. Of the 93 percent of U.S. manufactured exports to Australia, 99 percent of those are now duty-free, she said.
World Trade Center Atlanta is collaborating with the consulate general of Australia in Atlanta, Georgia Department of Economic Development, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Department of Commerce to sponsor the event.
To register for the event, which costs $30, contact Patrick Tonui at (404) 880-1562 or by email at patrick@wtcatlanta.com.