APEC NEWS RELEASE: Issued by The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Ha Long, 29 July 2022 – Asia-Pacific business leaders in the APEC Business...
New Zealand International Business Forum urges focus on Korea

The New Zealand International Business Forum today expressed its commitment to to work towards the closest possible relationship between New Zealand and Korea that reflects the strong ties between the two countries and their growing economies.
“In our view Korea needs to be positioned alongside Australia, the United States, Japan, China and the European Union as key economic partners for New Zealand in the 21st century,” Chairman Graeme Harrison told a joint meeting of the Korea New Zealand Business Council in Auckland today
Mr Harrison emphasised the organisation’s support of a formal free trade agreement that he said would encourage growth and development for the citizens of both Korea and New Zealand.
“The Forum is firmly of the view that New Zealand and Korea should commence negotiations towards a free trade agreement,” Mr Harrison stated. “It will encourage an expansion of trade and investment and provide a framework for our economic relations in the 21st century.”
Today, New Zealand and Korea’s relationship is characterised by shared interests in the peace and security of the Asia Pacific region, expanding trade and investment ties, positive scientific cooperation and strong connections through education and tourism.
The Forum, a new grouping of business leaders committed to defining New Zealand’s international business priorities, believes Korea should be high on New Zealand’s trade agenda.
“It is fundamental that we continue to develop the progress made last December, when Prime Minister Helen Clark and President Roh Moo-Hyun agreed a ‘Partnership for the 21st Century’ between New Zealand and Korea,” said Mr Harrison. “Korea must be positioned as a key economic partner for the future. A free trade agreement will ensure this is the case.”
For further information:
Graeme Harrison, Chair, 027 573 7521
Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director 029 472 5502
A copy of Mr Harrison’s speech is available at www.tln.co.nz.
About the NZ International Business Forum
The Forum is a business organisation which aims to generate wealth for New Zealanders by helping ensure that New Zealand enterprises are fully integrated and engaged in the global economy and New Zealand’s global competitive position is maximised. To enable New Zealand business to exploit new opportunities in international markets, the Forum provides leadership, works with companies and other business organisations to implement key projects and articulates New Zealand’s international business priorities to both the New Zealand Government and stakeholders.
REGISTER WITH TRADE WORKS
Register to stay up to date with latest news, as well as saving and discussing articles you’re interested in.
Latest News
Asia-Pacific Business Leaders to APEC Leaders: Speed up economic recovery and regain growth momentum
APEC NEWS RELEASE: Issued by The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Ha Long, 29 July 2022 – Asia-Pacific business leaders in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), meeting this week in Ha Long, Viet Nam, expressed deep concern about the unprecedented crises...
TradeWindow: Digital trade provides hope through challenging times
It won’t come as a surprise to many people to hear that we remain in a very challenging situation when it comes to global business. Our exporters are operating in an environment that is difficult to navigate due to continuing uncertainties – the seemingly endless...
TRADE AND CLIMATE POLICIES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER – BUSINESS FORUM
A new report, commissioned by the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) and prepared by Adrian Macey, former Climate Change Ambassador and World Trade Organization (WTO) Lead Negotiator, shows that trade policy and actions to address climate change can be...
Trade and Climate Change: State of Play
TRADE AND CLIMATE CHANGE: STATE OF PLAY. A discussion paper prepared for the NZIBF by Adrian Macey, June 2022. Download here.
THE NZ/EU FTA IS LIKE THE CURATE’S EGG
In which we like the good parts of the NZ EU FTA…. Who remembers the curate’s egg? It’s when the nervous Curate, asked by the Bishop, if everything is ok with his boiled egg, replies “It’s good in parts, my Lord”. So too the recently concluded NZ/EU FTA, which has...
ADDRESS TO THE FONTERRA ALUMNI GOVERNANCE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
ADDRESS TO THE FONTERRA ALUMNI GOVERNANCE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP AUCKLAND, 29 JUNE 2022 STEPHEN JACOBI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM THE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE CHALLENGE Thanks to my friend Janine Smith for inviting me to speak to you today....
NZ EU FTA – A MIXED BAG, SAYS BUSINESS FORUM
Reacting to the overnight conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement between New Zealand and the European Union, the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF), which brings together a cross section of major exporters, said the outcome was mixed in terms of...
NZ EU FTA COMING DOWN TO THE WIRE – HOLD THE LINE, SAYS BUSINESS FORUM
As negotiations accelerate to conclude an ambitious free trade agreement between New Zealand and the European Union, the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF), representing a cross section of major exporters, urges the Government and its negotiators to hold out for...
WTO BACK IN BUSINESS – INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM
Media release, 19 June 2022 The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcomes the outcome of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 12th Ministerial Council meeting in Geneva and congratulates Trade Minister O’Connor and officials. “It’s great to see the WTO back in...
Address to the 50th One Stop Update for the Accountant in Business
ADDRESS TO THE 50TH ONE STOP UPDATE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT IN BUSINESS CHRISTCHURCH, WELLINGTON, AUCKLAND, MAY 2022 STEPHEN JACOBI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM ONE STOP GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE Thanks to Brightstar for once again inviting me to...
Remarks by Rachel Taulelei to APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade, 21 May 2022
ABAC NEW ZEALAND REMARKS TO ABAC-MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRADE DIALOGUE 21 MAY 2022 RACHEL TAULELEI ABAC NZ Chair, Ministers The Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) remains the preeminent economic priority for the Asia-Pacific business community. It...
Deepening ECONOMIC INTEGRATION and EQUIPPING BUSINESS FOR DYNAMIC, INCLUSIVE and SUSTAINABLE GROWTH ARE KEY to ECONOMIC RECOVERY, say business leaders
Vancouver, 28 April 2022 –Asia-Pacific business leaders in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), meeting this week in Vancouver, affirmed their determination to continue to work closely together to respond to the challenge of sustaining the region’s growth...
FROM APEC AND CPTPP TO IPEF – SMALL STEP OR GIANT LEAP?
The US idea of an Indo Pacific Framework (IPEF) continues to gain traction but is not without complication. Aotearoa-New Zealand is a great joiner - from the very beginning of the United Nations to the important economic institutions like the WTO, APEC, CPTPP and...
Remarks to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM REMARKS TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL TREATY EXAMINATION OF THE NZ/UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT 17 MARCH 2022 STEPHEN JACOBI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Madam Chair, Members of the Committee Thank you for the...
Submission to the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
INTERNATIONAL TREATY EXAMINATION OF THENEW ZEALAND UNITED KINGDOM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT MARCH 2022 Introduction and Summary 1. This submission is made on behalf of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) whose members are listed at Annex A 1 . NZIBF is a...