The Exporter

Having trouble reading this? View it in your browser. Not interested? Unsubscribe instantly.

Friday 18 February 2022

MESSAGE FROM EXPORTNZ

Kia ora!

Last night we celebrated some of our best and brightest exporters at the New Zealand International Business Awards. While we couldn't do this in person, it was great to acknowledge the success they've all had. Well done to all those nominated, and a special congratulations to all of the winners on the night. A special thanks also goes to New Zealand Trade and Entreprise for putting on a great show, we're delighted to be a supporting partner of the NZIBAs. For a full list of winners, please see here.

We also had some very good news earlier in the month, with the Government’s announcement on reconnecting New Zealand to the world. Whenever I ask an exporter what their biggest barrier is at the moment, the answer has come back to the border - whether that be skills, supply chains, or difficulty connecting with current and prospective clients.

ExportNZ believes this announcement gives our exporters better certainty around international travel, and hopefully means our business community can begin to rebuild connections with the rest of the world.

Bye for now,
Josh

February Trade Update

With the EU-NZ FTA negotiations effectively on hold pending the French elections, the main focus of activity has been on the finalisation of the NZ-UK FTA and CPTPP expansion.

We understand that we are very close to having all issues resolved and the FTA signed within a couple of weeks. This is very good news.

CPTPP Expansion

The CPTPP Commission is meeting at Chief Negotiator level on 17 and 18 February. Progress in the UK accession and applications from China, Taiwan and Ecuador are key agenda items.

We are not expecting any decisions on the three new applications at this meeting.

China FTA Upgrade

New Zealand has ratified the upgrade to the FTA with China. The upgrade comes into force on 7 April 2022.

This is particularly good news for wood and paper exporters.

Australia and the EU have resumed negotiations after a break of a few months. The break in that negotiation had allowed EU resources to be devoted to the New Zealand negotiation.

Omicron Update

From 11.59pm on Tuesday, 15 February, New Zealand entered Phase Two of the Omicron Public Health Response.

At Phase Two, the Close Contact Exemption Scheme begins for registered critical businesses (please note you will need a RealMe account view and apply).
During Phase Two and beyond, workers at registered critical businesses who are vaccinated, asymptomatic and close contacts of a Covid-19 case can return to work, so long as they return a negative rapid antigen test before starting work each day they have been asked to isolate.
For more information on the scheme, see business.govt.nz.
More information and support for business.
The BusinessNZ Network has resources available to businesses during what may be a stressful and uncertain period of change. Call our BusinessNZ Network Covid helpline for advice on about the risk or impact of Omicron to your business.
Learn about how to manage the impact of COVID-19 cases at your business — business.govt.nz

See more on Phases for response to Omicron

ASEAN Food & Drink Exporters Forum

The ASEAN Food and Drink Exporters Forum was set up in late 2020 to provide a platform for food and beverage exporters to share strategies and insights about their commercial trade with the ASEAN region.

We have chapters of the ASEAN Forum in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.

For more information you can visit: www.exportincite.com/exporters-forum-nz

China FTA Upgrade enters into force in April

New Zealand’s economic recovery from COVID-19 continues to build momentum, with the Upgrade to New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China entering into force on 7 April 2022, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today.