Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

NZ and China launch FTA negotiations

NZ and China launch FTA negotiations

Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced that New Zealand and China will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement within weeks.

Helen Clark made the announcement today after meeting President Hu Jintao of China at the APEC leaders’ meeting in Santiago. The two leaders released a study jointly prepared by New Zealand and Chinese officials on the feasibility of a New Zealand China FTA.

The study concluded that an FTA would benefit the people and economies of both countries. The negotiations will cover goods, services and investment.

“The removal of barriers to trade is a key element of the government’s growth and innovation agenda. An FTA provides the best opportunity to do this.” Helen Clark said.

“Our exports to China, the study says, will grow by as much as up to $NZ400 million a year over the next twenty years. This means more jobs and long term prosperity for New Zealanders.”

“This is an opportunity to level the playing field and create new opportunities for exporters. The study does recognize that a limited number of sectors in both countries will face challenges as they make any necessary adjustments, but the government is confident these can be addressed.

“I am very pleased at the level of political engagement which China has given to the FTA process. This is a concrete demonstration of the strong bilateral ties that our government has developed,” Helen Clark said.

New Zealand is the first developed country to recognize China as a market economy, and the first to launch an FTA negotiation with this fast growing economy.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.