AFTER almost five years of talks, Australia will enter into a free-trade agreement with ASEAN countries, covering about $112 billion goods and services.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, yesterday announced the agreement would take effect from January 1. Negotiations for the trade deal, Australia's largest, began in March 2005.
''The entry into force of this massive new free-trade agreement for Australia as of 2010 is a big step forward for Australia, it is good for the Australian economy, it is good for jobs, and that is why this Government is pleased to have been part of this negotiation, pleased to have brought this negotiation to a successful conclusion,'' Mr Rudd said.
The agreement spans 12 countries and over 600 million people and covers about 20 per cent of Australia's two-way trade. FULL STORY
