Australia and New Zealand have a broad range of trading partners based on geographical links with Asia, heritage links with Europe and political and cultural links with the United States.

Australia and NZ are part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation (APEC) that promotes open trade and practical economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The combined output of APEC members accounts for almost half of world exports and more than half of world GDP.

The Closer Economic Relations (CER) trade agreement between Australia and NZ has more tightly integrated the economies of the two countries. It encourages businesses to setup manufacturing and services operations in both countries, and has helped to commonise business law, professional credentials and product standards.

Australia and New Zealand share an ethos of ‘getting on with the job’ with a focus on responsive and innovative quality management.

Australia and New Zealand have long histories in developing internationally recognised innovations in medical technologies such as the cochlear implant, satellite navigation, airport landing systems, solar cell technologies and others.