11 February 2020

The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) announced today that it had concluded a new partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to provide policy advice and support to the New Zealand Members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

“ABAC plays a valuable role in providing advice to APEC Economic Leaders on business aspects of the APEC agenda” said NZIBF Chair Malcolm Bailey. 

“Over 70 percent of New Zealand exports go to APEC economies.  New Zealand’s chairing and hosting of APEC in 2021 provides a great opportunity to deliver memorable and impactful outcomes and to showcase New Zealand capabilities and expertise. We are pleased to play a role in supporting the Government to deliver a successful APEC 21”.

New Zealand’s three ABAC Members, appointed by the Prime Minister, are Rachel Taulelei, Malcolm Johns and Toni Moyes.   Under this new partnership NZIBF’s executive team, Stephen Jacobi and Stephanie Honey, will work closely with Members to design and implement an ABAC work programme that reflects New Zealand business and commercial interests and the Government’s goals for the APEC year.

ABAC New Zealand Chair Rachel Taulelei said: “We are delighted to be able to call on the NZIBF team’s expertise. The task ahead of us is significant, particularly given current challenges in the global economy.  It is important that business steps up its engagement to complement the Government’s efforts and we will be looking for input from all types of business including small and medium-sized enterprises, Māori business and women entrepreneurs”.

For further information:
Malcolm Bailey, Chair, cell 021 741 165

Rachel Taulelei, ABAC NZ Chair, cell 021 966 849

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.  NZIBF was established in 2007 and has worked in support of ABAC since 2009.

About ABAC (www.abaconline.org)

ABAC was created by APEC Leaders in 1995 to be the primary voice of business in APEC. Each economy has three members who are appointed by their respective Leaders. They meet four times a year in preparation for the presentation of their recommendations to the Leaders in a dialogue that is a key event in the annual Leaders Meeting.  The first meeting is being held in Sydney 11-15 February.

About ABAC New Zealand Members

See www.beehive.govt.nz/release/pm-appoints-business-leaders-apec-business-advisory-council