Regional Trade for Development (RT4D)

Introduction

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) initiative, funded by both the Governments of Australia and New Zealand, assists ASEAN Member States (AMS) in meeting their commitments and realising the advantages offered by the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, or AANZFTA, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP. RT4D supports AMS in benefitting from an open, free and rules-based trading system.

RT4D delivers high-quality, targeted projects that focus on ASEAN priorities through the AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) and the RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP).

The AISP and RISP provide tailored support to enhance the capabilities of ASEAN Member States by strengthening skills, building networks, facilitating policy options, and ensuring that trade benefits everyone, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women and people with disabilities.

The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 53.3 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28. Separately, the Government of Australia also funds up to AUD 5 million for the Trade and Gender Equality Incubator (TGEI) from 2022-23 to 2026-27.

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) initiative assists ASEAN Member States (AMS) in meeting their commitments and realising the advantages offered by the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

RT4D ‘s mission is to support the development of more fair and resilient economies, where the benefits of transparent and rules-based trading systems are realised by all stakeholders. We believe that all stakeholders, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women entrepreneurs, and individuals with disabilities, should be equipped with the skills, networks, and resources needed to prosper in a rapidly evolving global economy and realise the trade benefits offered by AANZFTA and RCEP.

Together, we strive towards a future where trade drives equitable growth and widespread prosperity throughout the ASEAN region and for its partners.

RT4D's work supports regional and global prosperity through economic integration.

Our focus on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) creates opportunities for businesses to thrive by reducing tariffs, eliminating trade barriers, and improving regulatory frameworks.

Through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, we work with ASEAN Member States to better leverage economic cooperation agreements, enhancing their skills, networks, and policy options for sustainable development.

RT4D's efforts align with Australia and New Zealand’s commitment to ASEAN's central role in fostering a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. By supporting effective FTA implementation, we aim to narrow development gaps, promote inclusive growth, and strengthen regional ties.

RT4D stands out through:

providing regional coverage with tailored national-level support,
addressing the specific needs of each ASEAN Member State, and
maintaining a strong focus on achieving overarching regional objectives.

Our program is committed to embedding gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) perspectives into the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), an aspect which has been historically underserviced globally.

Through our robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning practices, we continuously assess and refine our approach to ensure maximum impact. This enables us to track progress effectively and facilitates continuous improvement, empowering us to adapt and evolve in dynamic environments.