Angus M Robinson, chief executive of the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA) believes Taiwan and China still hold great potential to stem the tide of dwindling ICT and electronics exports.

Responding to the release of adverse and deteriorating trade figures this week, Mr Robinson has called for industry support for urgent engagement in action agenda-led exporting initiatives.

Mr Robinson advocated that markets linked to the Greater China Region still offered Australian companies enormous export opportunities for goods and services in the electronics and information and communications technology (ICT) industries.

"Market-facing, industry-led activity supported by government can be highly effective," Mr Robinson said. "For example, the Electronics Industry Action Agenda has already delivered a significant strategic framework agreement with Taiwan. This landmark agreement links R&D collaboration, ICT manufacturing, strategic alliances, investment collaboration and trade facilitation activities between the major players in both countries," he said.

Mr Robinson said that this agreement was also underpinning the development of an exciting new industry - transport telematics - for Australia.

"Both the Taiwanese automotive and ICT/electronics industries are committing to link with Australia's innovation system to capture emerging opportunities in world markets," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Robinson pointed to a recently released independent report, Knowledge Exchange Networks in Australia's Innovation System, which argued that AEEMA, through the Electronics Industry Action Agenda, provided the best model for shifting university discoveries into the commercial world.

"There is no doubt that Australian industry now needs to lead and innovate in market development," Mr Robinson said. "Reflecting on old models and times gone by will not advance the interests of new industry growth in this country. Creating new industries such as transport telematics, medical devices, home networking, and mobile digital content is an imperative for Australia," he said.