The NZPGA Pro-Am Championship and Challenge Golf Tournament in Queenstown proved an ideal venue to hold the Japan New Zealand Business Forum on 2 March. The Forum was deemed a great success by participants and paves the way for more such events in the future.

“We had a very useful and interesting exchange of views between the senior Japanese and New Zealand business leaders present amidst the relaxing atmosphere of Millbrook Resort,” said NZ International Business Forum (NZIBF) Chairman Sir Graeme Harrison.

“New Zealand participants encouraged Japan to pursue entry into the Trans Pacific Partnership trade negotiations as a means of bolstering trade and investment ties within the region and specifically between New Zealand and Japan.

“There was cautious optimism amongst Japanese business leaders that Japan would seek to join TPP in the next few months, bearing in mind that the window of opportunity for Japan to join is narrowing given the goal of concluding TPP by the end of this year.

“We were interested to hear about the positive impact of ‘Abenomics’ on the Japanese economy and also about some of the challenges that Japan still faces, including the management of public debt. We were able to update our guests on the positive outlook for New Zealand’s economy, including in light of the Christchurch rebuilding process and the opportunities for foreign direct investment that are being generated,” Sir Graeme said.

Japan is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth NZ$6.1 billion in 2011.

“This meeting was a good opportunity to reaffirm the close links that exist between New Zealand and Japan,” said Sir Maarten Wevers, former head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and former Ambassador to Japan, who chaired the discussion.

“Several opportunities were identified to strengthen the relationship including in tourism and air services, food trade, forestry, and R&D including in relation to seismic activity which has affected both countries,” said Sir Maarten.

Around fifty participants from across technology, agri-business, tourism, forestry, and financial services sectors attended the forum.

The business forum demonstrates that the NZ PGA Championship is a successful platform for attracting international business leaders to New Zealand to play some great golf and to build business relationships.

The Japan New Zealand Business Forum was jointly funded by NZIBF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.