A high level business delegation is in Seoul to attend the second Korea-New Zealand Business Roundtable which opens tomorrow (Tuesday 6 July).

“This second Roundtable is an opportunity to evaluate the extent of the accelerating economic recovery in Korea and to demonstrate support for the early conclusion of a free trade agreement between New Zealand and Korea” said Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF).

Organised by NZIBF and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) the Roundtable will bring together over 60 senior business leaders from both countries. The Roundtable will be addressed by Prime Minister John Key and KITA Chairman Il Sakong. Business sessions will be co-chaired by the President of KITA’s International Trade Institute Dr Kyung-Tae Lee and NZIBF Chair Graeme Harrison.

“The Roundtable will bring together the heads of some of Korea and New Zealand’s largest companies all of whom are interested to explore how the economic and business relationship between the two countries can be further expanded”.

Leaders from some of New Zealand’s leading companies and business organisations are attending the Roundtable.  Participants include ANZCO and NZIBF Chair Graeme Harrison, Beef + Lamb Chair Mike Petersen, Business NZ President Trevor Goodwin, Fonterra Chair Sir Henry van der Heyden, PF Olsen CEO Peter Clark, Sanford CEO Eric Barratt and Zespri Chair John Loughlin as well as Korea NZ Business Council President Phillip Eustace.

“The Roundtable’s theme “Innovation, Growth, Opportunity” will also enable participants to look at new opportunities for business growth in relation to information technology, health services, green growth and clean technologies”.

Business sessions at the Roundtable will focus on considering the impact of the economic recovery on the way business is being done in the Asia Pacific region and on the trade policy environment.  In this context the Roundtable will receive a briefing on Korea’s aims and objectives as current G20 Chair leading up to the November G20 Summit in Seoul. Successful models of business co-operation will also be explored.

The Roundtable opens on the morning of Tuesday 6 July and concludes with lunch hosted by NZ Trade and Enterprise showcasing New Zealand food products.  The Roundtable is followed by the 26th Annual Joint Meeting of the Korea NZ Business Council.

A copy of the Roundtable programme is available at www.nzibf.co.nz