BERLIN, June 22 (Xinhua) – German Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier and Australian Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan on Tuesday discussed closer economic collaboration during the the second meeting of the German-Australian Trade Committee.
“We want to advance our bilateral economic relations again,” Altmaier said in a statement. Cooperation in the future areas of hydrogen and Industry 4.0 would be particularly important.
According to the press release from the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), Australia could become one of the largest hydrogen-producing countries in the world and could also “supply Germany on its way to climate neutrality in green hydrogen “.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dampening effect, the volume of trade between Germany and Australia has evolved positively in recent years, the BMWi added. Bilateral merchandise trade fell only slightly to € 11.38 billion last year.
According to the ministry, the German-Australian trade committee aimed to promote exchanges between Australian and German companies in order to open up new opportunities for cooperation.
As regards trade policy, the free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia was of “central importance”, commented Mr. Altmaier. The agreement would make it easier for companies to engage in each other’s markets and facilitate cooperation. End
–
