MFAT’s Exporter Outlook & Leveraging Our FTAs

This year, we’ve brought in overseas experts to update you on the global trade environment; now it is the turn of our New Zealand diplomats to give you their outlook on the constantly changing conditions overseas and their work to leverage more out of our free trade agreements. Join ExportNZ and the Christchurch Business Club as we bring in three of New Zealand’s leading negotiators to speak to Canterbury exporters and businesses.

Drawing on their experience and New Zealand’s network of posts around the world, Susannah Gordon (Divisional Manager, South and Southeast Asia Division) will provide an update on the overall global trade environment, including key developments across our major markets and what this could mean over the coming year.

Jo McKeagg (Divisional Manager, Economic Division) will then speak to the work of the FTA Boost team over the past year. Jo will take a practical look at how exporters can better utilise New Zealand’s FTAs, including navigating market access, effective leveraging of the tariff benefits, and addressing non-tariff barriers.

Jamie Thompson (Manager, Trade Policy at New Zealand Customs) will speak on the overlapping architecture of New Zealand’s trade agreement with the ASEAN countries.

Exporters and businesses will gain insights into the overall global environment New Zealand operates in, and practical tools to leverage New Zealand’s suite of FTAs.

Agenda – Tuesday, 17 November

7:30 AM – Networking over Breakfast

8:00 AM – Presentations to Begin

8:30 AM – Q&A with Susannah, Jo, and Jamie

8:50 AM – Vote of Thanks – Qaiser Rashid, CBC

9:00 AM – Networking Continues

9:30 AM – Event Ends