Trade Minister travels to Philippines for APEC

Hon Tim Groser
Minister of Trade

14 November 2015

Trade Minister Tim Groser will depart today for the Philippines to attend the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting.

“APEC is a vehicle for moving the region towards greater economic integration,” says Mr Groser.

“This year’s meeting, themed ‘Building Inclusive Economies, Building a Better World’, will invite discussion on a range of regional and multilateral issues.

“I will have the opportunity to share New Zealand’s views and position on some of these issues, and ways in which trade as a mechanism can help the region achieve sustained and inclusive growth.

“I will also have the opportunity meet with counterparts to discuss bilateral trade issues including progress with regional trade initiatives, such as the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific (FTAAP),” Mr Groser says.

The APEC Ministers’ meeting comes ahead of the APEC Leaders’ Meeting on 18-19 November, which the Prime Minister will attend.

In the margins of APEC Minister Groser will also support the Prime Minister at a meeting of Leaders of the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership nations to welcome the conclusion of the landmark TPP deal.

The APEC is composed of 21 member-economies: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Viet Nam.

ENDS

© Scoop Media