Analysis of Contemporary Trade and Development Issues - MAE308

This report, prepared for the MAE308 Contemporary Issues in Trade and Development course, analyzes Australia's trade patterns from 1987 to the present. It begins with an overview of Australia's direction of goods and services trade, including data on imports and exports from key trading partners such as the USA, India, Republic of Korea, and Japan. The report includes tables and graphs illustrating export and import trends, offering an analysis of the data, highlighting the main items traded, and identifying significant shifts over time. The analysis focuses on the leading countries and commodities involved in Australian trade. The report concludes with recommendations for the government, suggesting policy changes to boost exports and address challenges in the trade sector, such as the need to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and reduce shipping costs. The report provides an in-depth examination of Australia's trade relationships and offers valuable insights into the factors shaping its economic development.