23 business leaders will join the official New Zealand APEC delegation to  Beijing China in November, the NZ International Business Forum (NZBIF) and the New Zealand China Council announced today.

The business leaders will participate in the APEC CEO Summit from 8-10 November and related meetings.  NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi says the participation of the business leaders will demonstrate our strong commitment to business throughout the region.

“Delegates will engage with their counterparts from around Asia Pacific, interact with the Prime Minister and Ministers attending the meetings, and show support for initiatives such as freer trade and investment, in which New Zealand has a major stake.

“For New Zealand business, the key issues for APEC this year are progress towards the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific, promoting supply chain connectivity, enabling food security, ensuring the financial health of the region, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and addressing issues of particular relevance to small and medium size business” said Mr Jacobi.

NZ China Council Executive Director Pat English says the business delegation sends a powerful message about the importance of strengthening business ties with China.

“China is critical to New Zealand’s future well being.  It is our largest trading partner, fastest growing source of inbound tourists, largest source of overseas students and largest source of net migration.

However, we cannot take success with China for granted.  There are 134 other countries that claim China as their number one trading partner.  Australia is reportedly on track to conclude their Free Trade Agreement with China this year.  New Zealand needs to continue to lift its game across the board to maintain a competitive advantage,” Mr English says.

The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), held prior to the CEO Summit and Ministerial Meeting will be attended by New Zealand ABAC members Tony Nowell and Wayne Boyd, together with Alternate Member Stephen Jacobi.  ABAC member Katherine Rich will join the team for the annual dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders including Prime Minister John Key on 10 November.

Participating in this event is an important way for New Zealand to not only support the efforts of ABAC, but also to support the New Zealand China relationship in a very real way.

The APEC CEO Summit is an annual gathering of CEOs from throughout the region.  Under the theme “Shaping the Future through Asia Pacific Partnership.” Attendees will discuss how to establish long-lasting and beneficial trade relationships that will define the future of regional relations. The conference is the occasion for a number of key note addresses by APEC Economic Leaders including Prime Minister Key, President Xi Jinping of China and President Obama, as well as panel-led sessions on business themes featuring Chairs/CEOs of some of the region’s leading companies.

New Zealand APEC Business Delegation Members