Twelve New Zealand business representatives will participate in the APEC CEO Summit and related meetings in Bali, Indonesia, during the week of 30 September, the NZ International Business Forum said today.

“The Bali meetings are an opportunity to demonstrate our interest in APEC’s agenda for growth and jobs as well as promote New Zealand’s relationship with Indonesia which is celebrating its emergence as a regional economic power-house,” said NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.

“This week’s events are also the backdrop to some serious, high level discussions about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as negotiations move into their final phase. TPP Ministers are expected to meet to formulate their advice to TPP Leaders about the direction of the negotiating effort to the end of the year.”

The fourth and final meeting this year of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will take place in Bali 1-4 October and will be attended by New Zealand’s three ABAC members Tony Nowell, Maxine Simmons and Wayne Boyd, together with Alternate Member Stephen Jacobi and Lead Staffer Fiona Cooper Clarke. ABAC members will present their views and recommendations directly to APEC Economic Leaders, including Prime Minister John Key, on 7 October.

“For New Zealand business the key issues for APEC this year are freeing up trade and investment, promoting the earliest possible conclusion to TPP, making it easier to move goods through regional supply chains, enhancing 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.

The ABAC team will be joined at the APEC CEO Summit 5-7 October September by eight New Zealand business leaders. The Summit is an annual gathering of CEOs from throughout the region. Under the theme “Towards Resilience and Growth: Reshaping Priorities for Global Economy” the conference will explore how business can contribute to future prosperity in the region through social inclusion, trade liberalisation, innovation, connectivity, infrastructure development and investment particularly in emerging markets.

The conference is the occasion for a number of key note addresses by APEC Economic Leaders including Prime Minister Key, President Yudhoyono of Indonesia, President Obama, President Xi of China and Prime Minister Abe of Japan, as well as panel-led sessions on business themes featuring Chairs and CEOs of some of the region’s leading companies.