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

 

Egyptian Tariff Reductions Good News for NZ

Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Trade


19 February 2007
Media statement

Egyptian Tariff Reductions Good News for New Zealand

Trade Minister, Phil Goff has welcomed the decision by the Egyptian Government to reduce or eliminate tariffs on key New Zealand exports.

"Last December during a trade visit to Egypt, I raised with Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister, Rachid Rachid our concern that with elimination of tariffs on European imports, New Zealand agricultural exporters would be disadvantaged," said Mr Goff.

"Minister Rachid responded positively to my representations and undertook to consider extending tariff reductions on dairy and meat products from New Zealand and other countries.

"Egypt's announcement that tariffs on milk powder and sheep meat products have now been eliminated and tariffs on butter and cheese reduced from 5 to 2 per cent is very welcome.

"Over 85 per cent of our $160 million worth of exports to Egypt each year are dairy products. This will mean immediate tariff savings of around $3million a year to the dairy industry. With removal of volume limits, this should encourage greater trade in these products in the medium term.

"Tariff elimination on sheep products will further encourage trade in sheep meat which has more than doubled in the last year to around $2.6 million.

"The reduction of tariffs is a positive development at a time when New Zealand is looking to lift its bilateral relationship with Egypt to a new level. The Prime Minister's visit in April to open officially our new Embassy in Cairo will provide a further opportunity to promote New Zealand's position on issues such as this, Mr Goff said.

ENDS

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.