Government boost to MFAT capacity “good move” says Forum

The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) is pleased that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to receive additional funding to enable it to secure free trade agreements with the United States, Japan and Korea as well as other key markets.

Reacting to yesterday’s announcement, NZIBF Chairman Graeme Harrison said “This is a good move. New Zealand businesses have a vital interest in the work performed by the Ministry overseas and the quicker we achieve freer trade with our more significant trading partners the better”.

Mr Harrison agreed that the Ministry’s resources were already stretched but there was an ongoing need to prioritise and focus.

“The funding announced yesterday is a significant investment on the part of the Government and the tax payer.  Care will be needed to ensure that the money is spent in the areas likely to yield the greatest return to New Zealand.  That’s an ongoing task for the Government and the Ministry but business needs to be closely involved in setting priorities and in working with politicians and officials to achieve specific outcomes.”

NZIBF brings together New Zealand’s largest exporters from the dairy, meat, seafood, kiwifruit and software industries as well as leading business organisations to promote New Zealand’s international business engagement.