Director of NZ Trade Office in Taiwan Appointed

Director of New Zealand Trade Office in Taiwan Appointed

Clare Fearnley has been appointed Director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei, Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Philip Lewin announced today.

Ms Fearnley will take up her position in mid-2004. She succeeds Charles Finny, who will return to a position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.

The New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office (NZCIO) is a subsidiary of the Chamber of Commerce. NZCIO promotes New Zealand’s economic and cultural interests in Taiwan.

“Taiwan is New Zealand’s seventh-largest export market and a significant source of investment, students, and migrants. Taiwan and New Zealand do some $1.5 billion worth of two-way trade annually,” Mr Lewin said.

“The Wellington Chamber wants links between New Zealand and Taiwan to grow. I am confident that Ms Fearnley will use her familiarity with the region, and her extensive economic and trade experience, to make this happen,” he said.

Ms Fearnley will be joining the staff of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously worked in China as a consultant, and most recently as a diplomat, and is a fluent Chinese speaker. Ms Fearnley was New Zealand’s Consul-General in Shanghai from 1998-2002, and is currently New Zealand’s lead services trade negotiator based in Wellington. She has also served in New Zealand’s delegation at the United Nations in Geneva.

ENDS

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