Executive Director Stephen Jacobi read out on the recent Delhi business mission, published earlier by Newsroom.
International Business Forum welcomes discussions towards Russia FTA
The NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) today welcomed the announcement by Trade Minister Tim Groser from Moscow that New Zealand and Russia, together with its customs union partners Belarus and Kazakhstan were in discussions over a future free trade agreement (FTA).
“This is another great example of innovative New Zealand trade policy,” said NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi, speaking from Paris.
“Russia’s influence on the global economy is set to grow significantly. At present New Zealand’s economic relationship with Russia and its partners is significantly under-developed. An FTA could enable us to make an early start in developing new trade and investment”.
Mr Jacobi said the negotiation with Russia and its partners was of particular interest since they had not yet joined the World Trade Organisation, although an accession agreement with New Zealand was concluded in 2003.
“We hope Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will be able to join the WTO in the near future. Meantime our common membership of APEC and Russia’s hosting of APEC in 2012 provide a good platform for working together.”
Mr Jacobi urged the Government to ensure that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade was resourced to take the initiative forward.
“With negotiations currently underway with Korea, India and eight members of the extended Trans Pacific Partnership, our officials have their hands more than full. The negotiation with Russia will be no less complex but if handled properly could be of enormous future value for business and the country as a whole”.
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
EYES OPENED DURING INDIA VISIT
Published by Newsroom on 6 September 2023 Stephen Jacobi reports on the recent business delegation to India. Every country has its contrasts and a subcontinent of 1.4 billion with thousands of years of history has more than most. Today’s India can reach the...
GUEST BLOG: Raewyn Bleakley, Chief Executive, New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Exporting is an important part of the business of many NZFGC members whose brands we see daily on supermarket shelves. For some, exporting outweighs what they sell on our shores, while others are looking to break into new markets to open up growth opportunities beyond...
New Zealand business delegation “over the moon” with Indian trade and investment opportunities
MEDIA RELEASE - Friday 1 September, 2023 The involvement of New Zealand businesses in the successful Indian Moon landing epitomises the trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Just as Rakon and RocketLab provided innovative elements to the...
REMARKS TO INDIA NEW ZEALAND TRADE AND ECONOMIC ROUNDTABLE
DELHI, 28 AUGUST 2023 STEPHEN JACOBI - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM Opening remarks It’s a pleasure for me and the entire New Zealand delegation to be in Delhi today just days since India’s magnificent moon landing. These days India is literally...
Large business delegation bound for India
MEDIA RELEASE - Tuesday 22 August, 2023 Fifty business representatives will leave later this week bound for Delhi, making it one of the largest delegations ever to head for India. The delegation, comprising members and senior leaders of five business organisations,...
India and New Zealand: The next innings
As published in the NZ Herald, 18 August 2023 By Stephen Jacobi As a trade mission prepares to depart for Delhi, Stephen Jacobi of the New Zealand International Business Forum considers the prospects for growing two-way trade and investment between India and New...
CRUNCH TIME FOR CPTPP
As published in the NZ Herald, 18 August 2023. By Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director, NZ International Business Forum. Following the Ministers’ meeting in Auckland, what is the outlook for CPTPP as the world’s most ambitious free trade agreement? When Ministers...
INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND: GETTING ONTO THE FRONT FOOT
A 50 person business delegation is about to depart for India. It follows a major report by the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), published in April. The report took a critical look at the relationship, finding a number of shortcomings and advocating...
ADDRESS TO THE HAWKE’S BAY BRANCH OF THE NZ INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS – “TRADE SECURITY – FINDING NEW BASKETS”
TUESDAY 15 AUGUST 2023 STEPHEN JACOBI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM It’s a pleasure to be with you once again. This is an address about trade but also about baskets and eggs – in particular how many eggs and how many baskets we need to prosper...
SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE COMMITTEE
INTERNATIONAL TREATY EXAMINATON OF THE NEW ZEALAND EUROPEAN UNION FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, JULY 2023 Introduction and Summary This submission is made on behalf of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) whose members are listed at Annex A[1]. NZIBF is a...
CER CELEBRATES A RUBY ANNIVERSARY
The Australia-New Zealand Leadership, the semi-annual gathering of Ministers and business leaders, has been described as a “successful symbol of trans-Tasman togetherness[1]”. And the togetherness vibe was certainly present when the Forum gathered in Wellington...
Asia-Pacific businesses urge APEC Leaders to act on equity, sustainability and opportunity in an increasingly challenging landscape
APEC NEWS RELEASE issued by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, this week, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) stressed the need for action in an increasingly fragmented and difficult operating environment. “Our theme for...
CRUNCH TIME FOR CPTPP
This post was published by Hinrich Foundation on 18 July 2023. Following the Ministers’ meeting in Auckland, what is the outlook for CPTPP as the world’s most ambitious free trade agreement ? By Stephen Jacobi When APEC Trade Ministers gathered for their annual...
TIRED OF GEO-POLITICAL CONFLICT? TAKE A LEAF OUT OF SINGAPORE’S BOOK
Published by Newsroom, 23 June Stephen Jacobi[1] has been spending time in Singapore and finds a lot of similarities to the challenge Aotearoa faces with two big friends who are finding it difficult to get along. In the face of continuing global economic uncertainty...
IN SINGAPORE, “M” STANDS FOR MULTILATERALISM
In another post from Singapore, Stephen Jacobi addresses questions of regional security. Since even before its founding in 1965, Singapore has been located strategically at the cross-roads of economic activity in the Asia Pacific region. Today, Singapore also finds...
