New Zealand’s trade agenda for 2022 is being stepped up with Trade and Export Growth and Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, headed for talks in Europe and the Middle East on Sunday.
Minister O’Connor will attend meetings in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to advance New Zealand’s trade and economic interests with key partners, the Government said today.
“New Zealand’s goods and services are in demand around the world and our COVID-19 economic recovery will be underpinned by improving our substantial export market access,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I will travel to the UK and meet with Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan, to progress the bilateral trade relationship, including to complete the final steps of our FTA negotiations.
“In Europe, I will meet with European Union counterparts to advance our FTA talks in Brussels. That will be followed by a visit to the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
“I will be attending Expo 2020 in Dubai, which provides the opportunity to also engage with the Gulf Cooperation Council when in the Middle East.
“Our trade agenda has very good momentum. We are now reconnecting with a post-COVID world and unlocking opportunities that will drive our economic recovery from the pandemic,” the Minister said.
