Trade and Investment Policy and The Care Economy: How the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IA-CEPA) is Closing the Care Gap

Care Economy Policy

“Trade and Investment Policy and The Care Economy: How the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IA-CEPA) is Closing the Care Gap ” provides examples and recommendations drawn from the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) of how governments and businesses can design and capitalize on existing conducive trade agreements, to accelerate the pace of investment into the care economy. It highlights the importance of reducing unpaid care work and formalizing care services through targeted trade and investment to unlock economic opportunities. The care economy, by providing essential services such as early childhood education and childcare, aged care, and healthcare, not only empowers women to participate fully in the workforce but also fosters long-term economic growth.

Maha Elhayek

Senior Consultant

I specialize in market systems development in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Over the past decade, I have advised programs across the MENA region, Africa, and Eastern Europe. My work spans agricultural and industrial sectors, focusing on market systems assessments, program design, and strategies that expand opportunities for marginalized groups and support gender mainstreaming. I enjoy applying systems thinking to uncover structural barriers, co-create locally grounded solutions, and advise on private sector partnerships. I am currently passionate about applying MSD approaches to address climate change challenges.

Andrew Panton

Environment and Climate Change Practice Lead

I am committed to improving human livelihoods and resilience in balance with nature. At the Canopy Lab, I provide research and advisory support to projects working on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, sustainable tourism, and market systems development. Outside work, I’m a keen guitarist, cyclist and bookworm, with a love for food, travelling and learning languages.

JESSICA RUST-SMITH

Senior Consultant

I work across markets, business and supply chains, impact investing, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. I am an experienced monitoring, evaluation, research and learning consultant and project manager with expertise in the use of mixed methods, theory-based approaches and data collection and analysis. I have been working in M&E for market systems development for 10 years now, and going strong.