This week, I will travel to the Philippines to represent Australia at the Asian Development Bank Competition Policy Dialogues in Manila.
Competition policy helps drive economic growth and the meeting will be an important opportunity to engage with representatives from our region.
Among the subjects on the agenda will be competition policy reform and the role of evidence in development policy. I look forward to speaking about Australia's competition reforms, including the largest update to merger laws in fifty years.
During my visit I will meet with Australian businesses based in the Philippines to discuss how we can further increase our trade and investment ties, including through the implementation of Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. I will also meet with the Philippines Competition Commissioners to discuss the progress of the Albanese Government's competition agenda. At the Australian Embassy, I will host a reception for Australia Awards alumni across my portfolio areas.
I will also address the Asian Development Bank Institute academic research conference on the topic of randomised trials in development economics. The conference is dedicated to the late Australian development economist Dr Peter McCawley, and its theme is 'Striving for Economic Growth'.
These meetings will be a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the region and to discuss how our economies can respond to a challenging global environment. Competition policy and randomised policy evaluation are useful tools in building prosperity and addressing cost of living pressures.
Economic conditions remain challenging throughout the world, including in our region. Together we seek to spread the benefits of regional cooperation and address shared challenges.
