Op-Ed from Greg Wilcock, High Commissioner of Australia to Bangladesh: Australia in the Asian Century

The Daily Star

2 November 2012
 

Through 40 years of diplomatic relations, Australia and Bangladesh have come to share much. We are proud of our shared history. Equally, we are excited by our shared future as partners in the world’s most dynamic region. Asia’s staggering rise is changing the world. This is a defining feature of the 21st century—the Asian century. It has profound implications for our two countries and for people everywhere.

On 28 October, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard released a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. The White Paper is Government policy, and it lays out an ambitious plan for Australia to navigate this period of economic and social change. The White Paper recognises that Australia’s future is interwoven with the continued prosperity, sustainability and stability of our region.

The White Paper provides a roadmap for the whole of Australia—governments, business, unions, and the broader community—over coming decades. The Australian Prime Minister’s goal is to secure Australia as a more prosperous and resilient nation that is fully part of our region and open to the world.

Australia’s focus on Asia is not new. Our nation has a long history of engagement with the countries of Asia. Australia’s relationships in our region are strong and robust. But in this Asian century Australia must enter a new phase of deeper and broader engagement.

The Asian century brings opportunity for all in the region, including Australia. Asia’s extraordinary development has already changed the Australian economy, society and strategic environment. Australia’s trade with Asia as a share of our total trade has risen dramatically. Beyond economic gains, there are many valuable opportunities for building stronger partnerships across the region, including through closer educational, cultural and people to people links.

Just as our region has a lot to offer us, we have a lot to offer our region. We have strong, world-class institutions, a multicultural and highly skilled workforce, and a productive, open and resilient economy. These assets have been reinforced by a series of economic reforms and sound decisions made over past decades, including Australia’s effective actions to avoid the worst impacts of the Global Financial Crisis.

Australia’s strengths have long been reflected in its engagement with the countries of Asia. Over the past 50 years, we have been a reliable development partner working through collaborative relationships aimed at reducing poverty and improving sustainability throughout the region. Our financial, political and cultural links have deepened.

As this is true for Australia’s links in the region overall, so it is for Australia’s relationship with Bangladesh in particular. Our two-way trade has doubled during the past three years, reflecting Bangladesh’s significant economic growth. Almost 30,000 Bangladeshi-born people live in Australia, and around 7000 Bangladeshis are studying in Australia at any one time. The personal ties between us, forged by family, business, education – and by our shared love for cricket – are striking. Australia’s development assistance to Bangladesh is growing strongly, having more than doubled during past five years, to around $100 million this year.

As the Asian Century unfolds, Australia will endeavour to build even stronger and more comprehensive relationships with countries across the region through collaboration and cooperation and based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.