Perhaps a cyclone was after all a fitting backdrop for the meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) which was held in Auckland on 12-14 February – the global environment against which the meeting took place is decidedly stormy.
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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...

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...

NZ/EU FTA – BLESSED BE THE CHEESEMAKERS
Will the NZ/EU FTA ever be finished, asks Stephen Jacobi. In the Monty Python film, “Life of Brian”, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is poorly heard by some of the crowd, but the message is passed on: “Blessed be the cheese makers”. Two thousand years later cheesemakers...
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Five Minutes to MC12
In a fortnight’s time, Ministers from the 164 members of the World Trade Organisation will gather...

APEC 21 – BEATING COVID ONE ZOOM AT A TIME
The ABAC NZ TeamThe APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is preparing to discuss its Annual...

Britain here we come!
We are excited about the Agreement in Principle (AiP) on a future free trade agreement with the...

QUEUING FOR CPTPP
Are latest announcements of intended memberships a shot in the arm for the Trans Pacific trade...

High Noon For The NZ/UK FTA
What are the prospects for a strong outcome from the NZ/UK FTA negotiation? We’ve said it before:...

Wanted! New FTA Partners
New research commissioned by the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) identifies options for...

GUEST POST: Acting Digitally for Regional Impact
Rachel Taulelei and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor Rachel Taulelei is CEO of Kono and Chair of...

No BAU at the WTO
The World Trade Organisation has unanimously selected Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its new...

Trade in the worst of the worst times
“Out with the old, and in with the new”. The old saying seems to have particular relevance for...
NZ BUSINESS LEADERS AT APEC 2022
New Zealand business will be represented at the APEC Leaders’ Week in Bangkok, commencing 13 November, by members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).
Submission to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Re-Development of the Framework for Integrating Labour Standards and Trade Agreements
Submission by NZIBF – October 2022 This submission is made on behalf of the NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF), whose members are listed at Annex A[1]. NZIBF is a forum of senior business leaders working together to promote New Zealand’s engagement in the global...
Address to the 51st One Stop Update for The Accountant In Business, 25 October 2022
Stephen Jacobi, NZIBF’s Executive Director, gives an economic update for The Accountant In Business.
Submission to MPI on Modernising Our Export Assurances Systems: Legislative Options
Export New Zealand (ExportNZ) and the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) welcome the opportunity to comment on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Modernising Our Export Assurance Systems: Legislative Options Consultation Document.
Submission to MFAT for CPTPP Review
NZIBF’s Submission to MFAT for CPTPP review
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The now widespread use of the term “Indo Pacific” to describe the region to which New Zealand belongs brings a risk of geographical confusion. Stephen Jacobi explores the term Indo Pacific for the TradeWorks blog.
Of Interest Podcast: Stephen Jacobi on the importance of NZ’s trade relationship with China, the risks to it, and opportunities to diversify to other countries
By Gareth Vaughan, featuring Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum, for the latest episode of interest.co.nz's Of Interest Podcast. China is far and away New Zealand's key export market. But this comes with...
NZ Herald: Turbulence in global trade
Stephen Jacobi writes about turbulence in global trade, published by NZ Herald.
Address to World Affairs Forum, 22 August 2022
ADDRESS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS FORUM AUCKLAND, 22 AUGUST 2022 STEPHEN JACOBI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM TURBULENCE IN GLOBAL TRADE Thanks to Greg Thwaite for inviting me to speak to you this evening. It’s good to be back in the habit of meeting...
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...