In November 2021, Mr Tim Yeend was appointed to the newly created position of Associate Secretary for Trade and Investment in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Australian Government is working tirelessly to help Australian exporters diversify their international markets and access new and exciting opportunities because this supports jobs, businesses and the economy in Australia.

Worth more than $166 billion in 2019 and our fourth largest export sector, Australia's visitor economy was one of the first casualties of COVID-19. When borders closed, it ground to a near-halt, losing tourists, international students and business travellers overnight.

As worldwide production increases, driven by the proliferation of internet streaming services and an increased demand on more conventional platforms, Australia has become a leading destination for large-budget film and television production, including post-production and VFX activity from global content makers like Marvel Studios, Warner Bros., Sony Television, HBO, Netflix, Amazon Studios, NBC Universal, and Paramount Pictures.

Already one of the world's largest and fastest-growing entertainment sectors before COVID-19 hit, the digital games industry further expanded during the pandemic. Worth $240 billion globally in 2020, the market is set to reach $294 billion in 2024.

In August this year, home-grown fintech Afterpay sold for a staggering $39 billion, heralding the arrival of a major new export Australian industry – fintech.

Launch is no doubt the most exciting element of space. Seeing a rocket or satellite shoot into orbit sends a tingle down the spine – be it that of a bright-eyed young kid or the most seasoned space professional.

Expanding the global reach of world-class Australian service businesses is at the heart of Australia's Services Exports Action Plan, the first international strategy to boost services exports beyond tourism and international education.

The Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce is on a global hunt for the best and brightest in a wide range of future-facing industries to help fill skill shortages and boost prosperity in Australia.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) will make it easier for Australian businesses to operate in the Indo-Pacific region. No other free trade agreement brings together the collective economic weight of the ASEAN nations and major economies of North Asia.