SouthernLink is a big, bold idea we need to help double export value. It’s a concept that is gaining traction but needs more advocacy, writes Stephen Jacobi.
NZIBF Welcomes China FTA Upgrade
4 November 2019
New Zealand’s trade relationship with China stands to be further enhanced by the upgrade of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) announced today, says the NZ International Business Forum.
“China is our largest trading partner and the FTA, which is now eleven years old, needed to be brought up to date. We congratulate the two governments and their officials who have worked hard to reach this point” said NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.
Mr Jacobi said improved market access for wood products was a positive result, along with new rules for e-commerce and non-tariff barriers, but some challenges remain in the Chinese market, particularly for dairy and meat products.
“The FTA has been a stand-out success in boosting trade and investment between the two countries. Inevitably further gains are harder to achieve, but as this upgrade shows the FTA remains a vital framework for continuing to expand the relationship particularly at a time when protectionism is on the rise around the world”.
For further information:
Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director, cell 0294 725 502
About NZIBF (www.tradeworks.org.nz)
NZIBF 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.
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
THE NEXT BIG IDEA – THE SOUTHERN LINK
If New Zealand is serious about doubling export value in the next ten years then we need some really big, new ideas. Doing more of the same, not that there is anything wrong with that, is just going to deliver the same result. Enter an idea whose time has...
ADDRESS TO THE 55TH ONE STOP UPDATE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT IN BUSINESS – GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE
AUCKLAND, 21 OCTOBER 2024 STEPHEN JACOBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM Introduction Thanks to Brightstar for the opportunity to be with you again, in person this time! I’ve spoken several times now at this event and I’ve usually begun by...
NZ/GCC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT – EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE GULF
Building on earlier negotiations with the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand’s successful conclusion of negotiations for a NZ/Gulf Co-operation Council Free Trade Agreement should enable further expansion of trade with the GCC’s six members in the Middle East, says the...
TIES THAT BIND – EXPANDING CER TO ASEAN
For New Zealand to pay more attention to the economies of ASEAN (the ten-member Association of South East Asian nations) makes sense, particularly at a time when doing business around the world is tough and when we need all of our international connections to deliver...
NZ/UAE CEPA: A VALUABLE STEP FORWARD IN GULF – BUSINESS FORUM
Media release, 26 September 2024 In a challenging year for business, the successful conclusion of the NZ/UAE Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a welcome bright spot and helps build a stronger foundation for this country’s trade in the Middle East, says...
SPOTLIGHT ON SUBSIDIES
With much of the world turning inwards and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in a parlous state, it could be tempting to relax New Zealand’s long-term struggle to rid the world of trade-distorting, environmentally harmful and financially wasteful subsidies. Not...
Address to NZ Apples and Pears Inc Conference, 30 July
GEO-POLITICAL, TRADE AND CONSUMER UPDATE Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director, NZ International Business Forum Introduction Thanks to the team at NZ Apples and Pears for the invitation to be with you today. I’m here to talk about the bigger picture against which your...
NON TARIFF BARRIERS – “YOU ARE NOT ALONE”
Non- tariff barriers (NTBS) have a pernicious effect on trade. Sometimes it seems that just as tariffs go down, an NTB springs up! They can be hard to identify and even harder to address. The red meat industry, New Zealand’s second largest export...
INTERNATIONAL TREATY EXAMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE INDO-PACIFIC ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPERITY
SUBMISSION TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE SELECT COMMITTEE - JULY 2024 Introduction This submission is made on behalf of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) and ExportNZ. NZIBF, whose members are listed at Annex A,[1] is a forum of...
Sourcing from the world’s factory – new research report into imports from China
There are very few strategic risks to New Zealand from our current levels of exposure to imports from China, concludes a new report from the New Zealand China Council, co-sponsored by NZIBF. Even if we were to diversify our sources, China is now so...
ADDRESS TO THE 54TH ONE STOP UPDATE FOR THE ACCOUNTANT IN BUSINESS – GLOBAL ECONOMIC UPDATE
AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON, CHRISTCHURCH, MAY 2024 STEPHEN JACOBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM Introduction Thanks once again to Brightstar for the opportunity to address you today. I’m sorry I can’t be with you in person as I am travelling...
APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement 2024
2024 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Joint Statement Arequipa, Peru | 18 May 2024 We, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT), met in Arequipa, Peru on 17-18 May 2024, chaired by Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and...
Business Forum welcomes UAE FTA negotiations
Media release, 7 May 2024 The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcomes the start of formal negotiations on the New Zealand/UAE Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and looks forward to steady progress that will lead to the securing of a comprehensive...
Doubling our exports with zeros…and ones!
Image credit: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay The development of written language in the ancient world didn’t start with great poetry or literary epics. The catalyst for writing was the need to record the transfer of the ownership of goods from one person to another. Scribes...
Asia-Pacific business leaders rally for robust global trade amidst rising protectionism
APEC NEWS RELEASE Issued by The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) - April 2024 This week in Hong Kong, China, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) voiced serious concerns regarding the global shift towards protectionism and regional fragmentation, risking...
