New Trade Commissioner To Thailand

8 April 2004

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has appointed a new Trade Commissioner to Thailand. Jo McEvoy is a former client manager with NZTE’s Food and Beverages team in Auckland. She replaces Judy Bennet-Smith who has been Trade Commissioner to Thailand for four years.

The appointment takes on added significance for New Zealand as final negotiations for a Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) with Thailand get underway. New Zealand companies exported $329m worth of goods to Thailand last year (Dec 2003 figures).

In her new role, Ms McEvoy will be promoting New Zealand products and services in a market of more than 65 million people. She will also have responsibility for Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

“Its an exciting time to be promoting New Zealand. Worldwide exposure from The Lord of The Rings and the Oscars has got consumers asking about New Zealand and what it can offer in terms of innovative, quality products,” says Ms McEvoy.

“New Zealand companies are well placed to reach Thai consumers. It is known as a supplier of innovative products from food and beverages, forestry products and industrial machinery to quality education services.”

Ms McEvoy plans to work closely with New Zealand exporters across a variety of sectors to make them aware of the many opportunities in the Thai market and help them develop strategic partnerships with Thai companies.

“Thailand and its neighbours are a key export market for New Zealand companies. Incomes are rising, economic growth is steady and brand conscious consumers are demanding higher quality products,” she says.

After a long and successful career in the hospitality industry, Ms McEvoy says she is looking forward to immersing herself in Thai food and culture.

Ms McEvoy spent six years overseas, managing several restaurants and bars in London, Sydney and Colorado (USA). She returned to New Zealand and completed a Bachelor of Business Studies in Marketing, before joining the then Trade New Zealand in 1993.

She has had several roles in a variety of sectors including education, consultancy, aviation training, biotechnology, natural products, and publishing. She was posted to South Korea in 1995 and was the previous Trade Commissioner to Fiji from 1998 to 2001.

ENDS

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