Trade deal with NZ, Australia premature

Trade deal with NZ, Australia premature

Reports that a trade deal between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia and New Zealand are a "done deal" are encouraging but premature, Trade Minister Jim Sutton said on Thursday.

An Australian newspaper quoted officials within the 10 member ASEAN group as saying a trade proposal was a "done deal".

Sutton said it was good to see officials enthusiastic about the prospects, but the real business would be done at the ASEAN leaders' meeting in Laos in November to be attended by both the New Zealand and Australian prime ministers.

"The done deal comments are encouraging, but there is a long way to go and it is important to keep the matter in perspective," Sutton said.

Singapore Trade Minister George Yeo said on a visit here last month "there will be lots of obstacles along the way" towards an ASEAN trade pact with Australia and New Zealand.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.--AFP