The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) is taking advantage of the NZPGA Pro-Am Championship and Challenge Golf Tournament in Queenstown to hold a business forum on 2 March with visiting Japanese business leaders.

“The presence in New Zealand of a number of senior Japanese business representatives provides an ideal opportunity for an informal exchange of views on issues relevant to business in both countries,” said NZIBF Chairman Sir Graeme Harrison.

“Free trade negotiations are expected to commence in mid-year in the context of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).  Japan is also exploring membership of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).  We will want to discuss the implications of a new government in Japan for these initiatives, update our visitors on the prospects for the New Zealand economy particularly in the light of the quickening pace of the Christchurch rebuild and explore the potential for expanding tourism and other trade links.”

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

Sir Graeme said that Sir Maarten Wevers, former head of the Prime Minister’s department and former Ambassador to Japan, would chair the discussions in Queenstown.

Around fifty participants from across technology, agri-business, tourism, forestry, and financial services sectors are expected to attend the forum.

The NZ PGA Championship has proven to be a successful platform to draw international business leaders to New Zealand. The opportunity to play with top international golfers in a world-class event has drawn a number of very senior business people from Japan, Korea, and the United States.

As well building the profile of New Zealand in key international markets, business networking is seen as a strategic aim of the tournament.