KEY POINTS
SOUTH AUSTRALIA-MALAYSIA RELATIONS
"
Malaysia is a major trading partner for South
Australia .
In the 2006-07,
two-way merchandise trade between South Australia and
Malaysia was
valued at $728 million .
This was 35% higher than two-way
trade the
previous year .
"
Malaysia is South Australia's 6th biggest export
market .
Exports, which
are valued at over $566 million, are dominated by
refined copper ($394
mil) .
Other key exports to Malaysia include grains ($44 mil),
steel
scrap ($28 mil), lead ($17 mil), silver ($11 mil) and wine ($10 mil) .
"
South Australia's enjoyed a large trade
surplus with Malaysia in 2006-
07, worth $400 million .
"
South Australia enjoys a very close relationship with Malaysia,
which
has been developed through diplomatic,
cultural and commercial
linkages .
"
South Australia and Malaysia have a long history of
cultural linkages .
The City of Adelaide and the City of Georgetown, Penang have
a long-
standing sister city relationship .
"
The Australia Malaysia Business Council Inc (AMBC)
actively promotes
bilateral trade relations between Malaysia and South
Australia. AMBC
organises trade delegations to Malaysia on an annual basis .
"
Australia and Malaysia are currently
negotiating a free trade agreement
(FTA) . The Government of South Australia
provides in principle support
to the potential FTA, but not at any cost.
The benefits of such an FTA
through enhanced market access must be shown to
outweigh any
negative effects .
"
According to the 2006 Census, 1,219 South Australian
residents claim
Malaysian ancestry .
"
In 2006-07 there were 17,705
visitors from Malaysia, who travelled
from South Australia or to South Australia during the
period .
"
In
2007, there were 2,112 Malaysian students studying
in
South
Australia, making Malaysia South Australia's third largest source of
international students .
DISCUSSION
Merchandise Trade
Malaysia is a major trading partner for South Australia . In the
2006-07, two-
way merchandise trade between South Australia and Malaysia was
valued at