A delegation of New Zealand business representatives will participate in the APEC CEO Summit and related meetings in Vladivostok, Russia, during the week of 3 September, the NZ International Business Forum said today.

“The Vladivostok meeting takes place as Russia takes up its long-awaited and welcome entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and as further progress is made to build the foundations for future growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” said NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.

“New Zealand has a major stake in the future economic success of the APEC region which takes over 70 percent of our exports. Negotiations now underway amongst eleven APEC economies to complete the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) are aimed at eliminating trade barriers, reducing the cost and complexity of doing business and providing a pathway to a future Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP). New Zealand is also negotiating a free trade agreement with the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.”

The fourth and final meeting this year of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will take place in Vladivostok 3-6 September 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 8 September.

“For New Zealand the key issues for APEC this year are advancing the growth and jobs agenda, liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment, promoting the earliest possible conclusion to TPP, enhancing food security through a newly established high level dialogue on food issues 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 7-8 September by several New Zealand CEOs. The Summit is an annual gathering of CEOs from throughout the region. This year’s Summit under the theme “Addressing Challenges. Expanding Possibilities” will explore how business can contribute to future prosperity in the region through trade liberalisation, safe food and water supply, infrastructure development, the fostering of innovation and new transportation routes.