NZIBF
Launched in June 2007, NZIBF brings together business leaders from some of New Zealand’s largest internationally oriented companies together with the country’s peak business organisations.
Trade Works
Trade Works is the communications platform for the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF), and the New Zealand Chapter of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).
ABAC NZ
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is the voice of business in APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation). The three NZ Members of ABAC advise APEC Economic Leaders on priority business issues for the region. New Zealand is hosting APEC in 2021.
Trade Working
No BAU at the WTO
The World Trade Organisation has unanimously selected Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its new Director-General, after months of uncertainty following a veto from the now-departed Trump Administration. The appointment of Dr Okonjo-Iweala, as the first woman and first...
Trade in the worst of the worst times
“Out with the old, and in with the new”. The old saying seems to have particular relevance for 2020, a veritable annus horribilis for the global economy. 2021 can’t come fast enough, but while the vaccine portends better times to come, many parts of the...
RCEP Delivers New Rule Book for Asia Trade
It is said good things take time, and that is inevitably true of international free trade negotiations. More than eight years after launching, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement was finally signed on 15th November 2020 creating a new rule...
Farewell Despatch: Malcolm Bailey’s Annual report
NZIBF Board and guests meet on 25 November 2020 NZIBF Chair Malcolm Bailey has finished a 5-year term and passed the baton to Philip Gregan (CEO, NZ Winegrowers). Here is Malcolm’s final annual report which was presented on 25 November. I am pleased to present my...
What does a Biden Presidency mean for NZ/US Relations and Trade?
The American people have spoken. America’s “better angels” have prevailed. We all hope for better times ahead, but, while there is ample scope to expand co-operation with a Biden Administration in the White House, the future is unlikely to be all plain sailing. The...
In The News
Remarks by ABAC Chair Rachel Taulelei to APEC Senior Officials, 11/12 March 2021
APEC BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL, APEC SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETING, 11/12 MARCH 2021 REMARKS FROM RACHEL TAULELEI, ABAC CHAIR E ngā mana, e ngā reo, rau rangatira mā, tena koutou katoa. It’s a pleasure to join with you at your plenary meeting after the very successful...
International business calls for freer services trade
January 28, 2021 Dear JSI Co-Convenors: The members of the Global Services Coalition, a network of trade associations that represent services businesses in Asia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, North and South America, strongly support your efforts to forge international...
All you ever wanted to know about APEC
Summer intern Kaitlin Outtrim has produced this useful backgrounder on APEC and ABAC. Find out all you ever wanted to know! Aotearoa New Zealand has a busy calendar in 2021. Not only are we the hosts of the America’s Cup – we are also hosting APEC! But what is APEC,...
People, place and prosperity: Asia-Pacific business community’s call to action
APEC NEWS RELEASE Issued byThe APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Business leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies met virtually this week to discuss how to work together to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild the region’s economies. “We are living through the...
Remarks to Public Private Dialogue on Renewable Energy
APEC BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL18 JANUARY 2021, MALCOLM JOHNS, ABAC NZ PUBLIC PRIVATE DIALOGUE ON PROPOSED APEC FRAMEWORK FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN RENEWABLE ENERGY Thanks for the opportunity to offer some concluding remarks for today’s dialogue. Let me start by...
Media Releases
Market Access Is The Key To Unlock The NZ/UK FTA Negotiation
Media release, 6 May 2021 The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcomes the news that the pace of the NZ/UK FTA negotiation is to be lifted, but says a comprehensive market access package remains the key to unlocking a successful outcome. “Trade negotiations...
CPTPP – A Chance For UK To Show Its Trade Credentials
Media release, 31 January 2021 Seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement on Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a chance for the United Kingdom to demonstrate the extent of its commitment to open markets and effective trade rules”, says Stephen...
China FTA Upgrade Shows NZ Can Do Business With China
Media release, 26 January 2021 The virtual signing of the Upgrade of the New Zealand China Free Trade Agreement today is a great start to the new year, say business leaders from the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF). “This is good news at a difficult time and...
New Zealand to Chair APEC Business Advisory Council
Media release, 1 December 2020 As New Zealand assumes the role of Chair of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation) for 2021, Rachel Taulelei also takes over the role of Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “This is a unique opportunity for New Zealand...
RCEP Delivers New Rule Book for Asia Trade
Media release, 15 November 2020 Business leaders from the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) have welcomed the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade agreement. NZIBF Chair Malcolm Bailey said: “We are pleased that the...