Largest Trade Delegation To Ever Represent New Zealand Departs For China Tonight

The largest trade delegation to ever represent New Zealand leaves Auckland tonight, led by Trade Minister Phil Goff on the first leg of his visit to China, Vietnam and Australia.

"The delegation, consisting of more than 120 business people, trade and tourism officials, local government leaders and journalists will travel to China on Air New Zealand's inaugural Auckland to Shanghai direct flight tonight", said Mr Goff.

"There is a full programme of trade focused activities for the delegation over three days including an NZTE seminar on conducting business in China which will be attended by many of the business people in the delegation and a large number of representatives of New Zealand companies already trading in China.

"In Shanghai I will also visit a number of established New Zealand businesses, open a New Zealand owned manufacturing plant and address the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences before visiting the site of the 2010 World Expo where New Zealand will be appearing on the world stage.

"From Shanghai I will travel to Beijing for a series of official calls on Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangu and the ministers of Defence, Agriculture and Commerce. I will address the Chinese National Defence University and visit New Zealand companies like Pan Pac, Intuto and Nordanis who are established in the major port area of Tianjin, North of Beijing.

"The visit to China ends on November 10 when I travel to Hanoi for the APEC summit. APEC will be followed by a series of bilateral meetings with my Vietnamese colleagues in relevant portfolio areas before departing Vietnam for Melbourne.

"Williamstown, Melbourne is home to the Tenix shipyards and on Saturday, November 18 I will attend the launch, by Dame Silvia Cartwright of what will become HMNZS OTAGO. The OTAGO is the first of two new Offshore Patrol Vessel's being constructed for the Royal New Zealand Navy under the auspices of Project Protector.

"Following the launch of OTAGO I will inspect the Multi Role Vessel CANTERBURY which is undergoing final fit out and meet some of her crew who are completing specialised training, prior to the ship entering service in 2007," said Mr Goff

ENDS

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