11 June 2007

Director of New Zealand Trade Office in Taiwan Appointed

Michelle Slade has been appointed Director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office (NZCIO) in Taipei, the Chief Executive of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, Charles Finny, announced today.

NZCIO is a subsidiary of the Wellington Chamber and promotes New Zealand’s economic and cultural interests in Taiwan.

“Taiwan is important to New Zealand as our eighth largest export market and a significant source of investment, students and migrants,” Mr Finny said. “Annual two-way trade currently stands at around $1.5 billion.

“The Wellington Chamber is keen to strengthen trade and investment links with Taiwan. Ms Slade is well-qualified to achieve this through her knowledge of the region and her extensive economic and trade experience.”

Michelle Slade will join the staff of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where she has most recently been Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo. She is a Chinese speaker and former trade negotiator, and has previously worked in the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing and the New Zealand Permanent Mission in Geneva.

Ms Slade will take up her position in October. She succeeds Clare Fearnley, who will take up a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington.

ENDS

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