A delegation of ten New Zealand business leaders will participate in the APEC CEO Summit and related meetings in Yokohama during the week of 8 November, the NZ International Business Forum said today.

“Some key business issues are under discussion at APEC and New Zealand business will be there to support the New Zealand Government and to demonstrate interest in the future for trade and investment in the Asia Pacific region” said NZIBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.

Among the issues to be discussed in Yokohama include the pace of economic recovery in the region, the outlook for trade liberalisation notably through the expanded Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and the proposed Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP) as well as a new agenda for economic growth in the region.

“The region as a whole is growing again and providing much needed momentum for the global economy. New Zealand has important economic interests to protect and advance in Yokohama” said Mr Jacobi.

The fourth meeting this year of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will take place 8-10 November attended by New Zealand’s three ABAC members Tony Nowell, Gary Judd and Maxine Simmons.  Stephen Jacobi will attend as Senior Advisor to the New Zealand delegation.

“The key issues for ABAC from New Zealand’s point of view are advancing the APEC trade and growth agendas, finalising the preferred pathways for FTAAP, promoting TPP, enhancing food security and advancing the APEC Food System and addressing foreign exchange and small and medium size business issues” said Mr Jacobi.

ABAC members will present their views and recommendations directly to APEC Economic Leaders, including Prime Minister John Key, in Yokohama on 13 November.

The programme for New Zealand’s business delegation commences in Yokohama on 11 November.  They will meet Trade Minister Groser, join a lunch organised by the US National Centre for APEC, participate in a TPP seminar organized by the NZ US Council and then attend a dinner with Prime Minister Key in Tokyo.

“These opportunities will enable the delegation to pursue objectives related to regional (APEC, FTAAP), pluri-lateral (TPP) as well as bilateral (US, Japan) business agendas” said Mr Jacobi.

On 12-13 November the delegation will participate in the APEC CEO Summit organised by the Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation).  Prime Minister Key addresses the Summit on Friday 12 November at 2.45 pm.  The Summit will be addressed by other APEC Economic Leaders including President Obama and President Hu Jintao. The delegation will meet with the Prime Minister over breakfast on 13 November and most participants depart the following day.

To see the New Zealand business delegation list click here.