Aid for Trade - Creating jobs and building livelihoods

Today we announce a new strategy to increase the impact of Australia's aid for trade investments by driving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

The release of the Strategy for Australia's Aid for Trade Investments coincides with Australia's commitment to the development agenda of the World Trade Organization, which is hosting the fifth biennial Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva this week.

Australia is investing to build the capacity and infrastructure our partners need to benefit from trade, create jobs and build livelihoods.

We are one of few donor countries to adopt a dedicated aid for trade strategy. The strategy prioritises expenditure in eight areas, including economic empowerment of women, infrastructure connectivity, private sector development and agriculture.

By 2020, 20 per cent of our aid budget will be dedicated to 'aid for trade' investments to support developing countries to improve their regulatory environments, enhance their economic infrastructure and build their private sector capacity.

Australia will work through the Global Review to create a collaborative environment for donors and developing country partners to address aid for trade needs. Australia will showcase opportunities at the Global Review for greater aid for trade investment in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, services and women's empowerment.