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Message from the executive director

Where did 2019 go?  It was an action packed year on the trade front, with plenty of international drama that so far has mainly resulted in upside for NZ exporters (unless you were in steel or aluminium).  That said, uncertainty is not a business persons friend and there is plenty of that still around, including with BREXIT.  It is great to see the Export Credit Office has supported so many export sales, check them out below to see if they could help you.

Wishing all our readers a very happy Christmas and relaxing summer holiday and we will be back in 2020.

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

Trade update - December

NZ-EU

As this update is being written New Zealand and EU negotiators are beginning their latest round of discussions on a bilateral FTA.  Unfortunately, the market access teams will not be meeting as the EU has been unable to improve the dreadful and unacceptable position currently on the table.   As market access is one of the most contentious aspects of this negotiation the failure to discuss market access is not a good sign.

Another contentious issue is the EU demands on geographic indications (GIs).  MFAT consulted on the list of proposed products that would be protected under the FTA in 2018.  A new consultation is underway on the EU’s proposed text for the GI Chapter.  This proposes significant changes to New Zealand law.  This consultation document can be found on the MFAT website.

More ->>

Shaping the Future of the Red Meat Sector.

Last week Beef and Lamb NZ released a major new report on ‘Shaping the Future of the Red Meat Sector’, which identifies seven mega trends and outlines seven priorities areas for the sector to ensure it is positioned successfully for the future.

The findings of this report are relevant to most New Zealand food producers.

You can read the summary report and full report here.

MPI launches food safety strategy

On the 10th of December New Zealand Food Safety, a division of MPI, launched its strategy and action plan to maintain and grow the country's reputation as a provider of trusted and safe food. I attended the launch in Auckland and the key takeaways can be found below:

New Zealand is currently placed well globally, and demand for New Zealand products are high despite an increase in uncertainty of global trading systems. New Zealand produces enough food to feed 50 million people, this demand is expected to grow.

More ->>

EU-New Zealand free trade agreement Public - Consultation on Geographical Indications

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are seeking input on the proposed legal framework for protection of geographical indications in New Zealand as part of the EU-New Zealand free trade agreement (EU-NZ FTA) negotiations.

Through the FTA, the EU is asking New Zealand to recognise and protect an extensive list of EU geographical indications (GIs) covering food stuffs, wines, and spirits.  This means certain product names would only be able to be used by certain European producers.

The EU wants us to protect GIs in much the same way as they are protected in the EU.  This would require significant changes to our existing laws.   We want to understand how these proposed changes could impact New Zealanders.

Submissions can be made by emailing eu-fta@mfat.govt.nz.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 27 March 2020.

More info here ->>

McKechnie Aluminium invests $18million in new press at Taranaki plant

Taranaki-based McKechnie Aluminium has invested $18million in new machinery to help it 'leapfrog' into the future.

The company already has the lowest carbon footprint of any aluminium extruder in Australasia and now it has the the newest, most technologically advanced press in New Zealand.

This has increased the plant's capacity by between 30 and 40 percent, as it can now produce larger-sized products and complex profiles that could not previously be made in New Zealand, McKechnie managing director Pramod Khatri said.

More ->>

NZEC supports $3 Billion worth of exports

New Zealand Export Credit (NZEC) is proud to have recently achieved a milestone of directly supporting $3 billion of exports since NZEC was established.

NZEC’s mix of trade credit insurance and financial guarantees has provided exporters of all sizes and from all regions the confidence and the capacity to sell into 90 countries.  In the process, NZEC have worked closely with other government agencies, banks, trade credit insurers, industry associations and professional advisers to enable their commercially viable exports to proceed. 

More ->>

How does Dubai see New Zealand?

Off the back of research commissioned by the Dubai Expo 2020 team, MFAT funded broader perception research in the Dubai market. The project was led by New Zealand Story and focuses on supporting a better understanding of the trade opportunities offered to New Zealand exporters to Dubai. Findings include how Dubai consumers and businesses perceive New Zealand, key points for business engagement and sector-specific considerations for trade.

Download the toolkit here ->>

MFAT's export advisory service

If you have questions regarding which free trade agreement you should be using, or are coming up against non tarrif barriers, MFAT will try to help you.

You can contact them by email at exports@mfat.net or by phone on 0800 824 605

Government procurement feedback survey

Getting government procurement right is important. You spend a lot of time and money bidding for and managing government contracts.

New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) want to know what’s working and what needs improving in procurement planning and sourcing. Your feedback will help shape and grow procurement capability in the Public Sector.

Your individual responses will be held confidentially by the Capability Services Team and the Business Information and Analysis Team within New Zealand Government Procurement.These are not procurement teams: they work to help improve procurement practice across government.

Take the survey here

ePing alerts – Get the inside edge on what’s happening in the export world

What is ePing you ask?
ePing is a valuable, free online web service for exporters.
You sign up quickly and easily to receive alerts on upcoming changes in export markets, including product requirements, labelling and standards that are not international.
You can choose how often you get alerted, the products you want to know about and the markets you are interested in.

And why is this so great?
ePing gives you a  ‘heads-up’ about proposed changes to export requirements that affect your business. If you are in the know early enough it will give you enough time to prepare and adjust your business to any upcoming changes.


Being in the know about any changes that affect your business also gives you the opportunity to have a say before proposed changes become law. The country that wants to make changes is obliged to take your comments into account.


Sign-up for ePing alerts here.

For more information, ;">email the New Zealand Technical Barriers to Trade Enquiry Point.

ExportNZ
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