New Zealand sharing in China’s opportunities

Media Release
30 May 2005

To Chief Reporter/Business Reporter – for immediate release

New Zealand sharing in China’s opportunities

Subtitle: Meeting Chinese Businesses face to face

Following on from the successful “Gateway to China” summit last year, “Inside China” forum in March and in anticipation of the free trade agreement, the NZ-China Trade Expo Week will be held from the 9th to 14th August at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

NZ- China Expo Week is supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Asia New Zealand Foundation.

The Key Events are:
NZ Trade Expo (New Zealand Businesses 9th – 12th August)
China Trade Expo (Eastern and Northern China Businesses 9th - 10th August)
China Trade Expo (Central and Southern China Businesses 11th -12th August)
NZ – China Entrepreneurs Forum (12th August)
Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra Auckland Performance (13th August)
NZ-China Entrepreneurs Friendship Golf Tournament (14th August)

This Expo and adjoining Forum is different from previous events, in the fact that it will not just be a platform for New Zealand businesses to learn about how to do business with Chinese companies in China. The Expo will bring together a delegation of a large number of entrepreneurs from China’s major industrial areas to meet face to face with their New Zealand counterparts to display their products and services to interested buyers and will be prepared to do business.

Many prominent New Zealand companies will be attending the Expo over the four days and the organisers have confirmed Chinese Entrpreneurs from Eastern and Northern China will display their products at the Expo on the 9th and 10th August while Central and Southern China will display on 11th and 12th August.

A large contingent of Media is expected to arrive from China to cover the event and committee organisers say up to 10,000 professional representatives and general public from New Zealand, China and Australia will visit the Expo.

“There is no better or faster way to build and foster relationships now than to meet the Chinese Entrepreneurs arriving in August from all over China” says Chairman of the organising committee Mr Eric Yuan.
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Representatives from the Government, City Mayors and Industry leaders from both countries will make up discussion groups and workshops for the major event in the NZ – China Trade Expo week, the special NZ – China Entrepreneurs Forum to be held on the 12th August at the closing of the Expo. The forums objective is to further challenge overall awareness and attitudes in the business sector as the two countries draw closer to finality on a trade agreement. All entrepreneurs arriving from China and locally for the Expo will be in attendance for this historic event.

“New Zealand will ultimately benefit from the free trade deal if businesses look to both importing and exporting. New Zealanders need to be proactive and share in the opportunities with the world’s fastest growing economic engine- China” says Mr Yuan.

Organisers of NZ-China Expo week have struck a coup by arranging to bring the “Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra” to New Zealand for the first time, which will perform at the conclusion of the Expo and Forum on the 13th August. Founded in 1957, the 103 piece orchestra has performed in many concert halls around the world and is recognised as one of the most prestigious orchestras in China. Guangzhou is the sister city to Auckland and China’s third largest city.

“I am honoured to be able to bring this full 103 piece orchestra to New Zealand, not only for the Expo but for performances in Auckland and Wellington which will be open to the general public to see a full Chinese orchestra perform for the first time in New Zealand” says Mr Yuan.

A golf tournament on the 14th August will be a relaxing highlight and a casual business discussion platform for delegates to review the Expo and develop the business opportunities they achieved.

Full programme and registration details are available online at www.freetradeforum.org

Ends

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