Preparations for NZ’s hosting of APEC 2021 are stepping up with the formation of a Business Leadership Group, which will provide advice to the Government and other entities involved in hosting APEC.

“For New Zealand, the Asia-Pacific region represents by far the majority of our export trade. There is no doubt that the Asia-Pacific economy is the key to our future prosperity”, Ms Chapman says.

“Hosting APEC will give New Zealand the opportunity to take a leadership role and to showcase our country through the eyes of visiting Asia-Pacific leaders, and the businesspeople and international media who accompany them.”

“This is a significant opportunity for us in New Zealand, and it’s important we get as much as we possibly can out of hosting such an influential group of people in our country in 2021.”

Ms Taulelei says APEC has delivered a great deal to our business community since it was founded in 1989.

“APEC’s work in deepening trade links around the region and reducing trade barriers and costs has made it easier for New Zealand companies to do business with many of our key trading partners” she adds.

“The Business Leadership Group will encourage New Zealand businesses to understand the importance of APEC for their business operations and to take advantage of the opportunities surrounding the APEC meetings to promote successful Kiwi businesses and products”.

The Business Leadership Group will be supported by APEC New Zealand, the all of Government team responsible for the APEC hosting year.

It will bring together people who have experience in APEC with leaders from a range of existing business groups including representation from each of the three cities hosting APEC meetings – Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

A list of the Group’s members is shown below.

For further information contact:

Cas Carter
Communications Director, APEC NZ
Mobile: +64 21 341 509

This was originally posted on the MFAT website here.

APEC21 Business Leadership Group

Co-Chairs
Barbara Chapman	Chair, APEC 2021 CEO Summit Committee
Rachel Taulelei	Member, APEC Business Advisory Council
Members
Malcolm Bailey	Chair, NZ International Business Forum
Michael Barnett	Chief Executive, Auckland Chamber of Commerce
Roger Beaumont	Chief Executive, NZ Bankers Association
Rachel Brown	CEO, Sustainable Business Network
Kirk Hope	Chief Executive, Business New Zealand
Traci Houpapa	Chair, Federation of Māori Authorities
Chris Insley	Chair, Te Taumata
Malcolm Johns	Member, APEC Business Advisory Council
John Milford	Chief Executive, Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Toni Moyes	Member, APEC Business Advisory Council
Graeme Muller	Chief Executive, NZ Tech Alliance
Phil O’Reilly	Past member, APEC Business Advisory Council
Katherine Rich	Past member, APEC Business Advisory Council
Fran O’Sullivan	Director, NZ INC.
Roger Partridge	Chairman, NZ Initiative
Greg Shanahan	Managing Director, Technology Investment Network
Leeann Watson	Chief Executive, Canterbury Chamber of Commerce
Fraser Whineray	Chair, PM’s Business Advisory Council