Editorial: Now the Hard Work Begins
OPINION: After much wrangling, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between New Zealand and India is a step closer to fruition.
He told Dairy News that this is despite it not getting any major traction for dairy exports to the world's fourth largest economy.
He says it was known right from the start of the negotiations that dairy was a challenge.
"We have achieved something, but it's not as much as we would have liked," he says.
But Guy says it's a very successful deal which Trade Minister Todd McClay and his officials have worked tirelessly to achieve.
He says McClay has built a solid rapport with his Indian counterpart and the Prime Minister has done likewise with the Indian Prime Minister.
"The FTA is especially good for the NZ sheepmeat industry and for a range of horticulture products - especially apples and kiwifruit," he says.
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The FTA came at roughly the same time as McClay announced that Nathan Guy was to become the new Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, replacing Hamish Marr who has held the role since 2023.
Guy says he's excited at the appointment and his first task is to be briefed by MFAT whom he directly reports to, as well as other agencies such as MPI and NZTE.
Another key task for him in the coming weeks is to listen to what exporters have to say and get a full appreciation of their needs.
He says while he has a good understanding of the major exporters such as those involved in meat, dairy and the big horticulture crops, he wants to connect with new and smaller exporters as well.
"As a former minister I have still got international connections, and these will certainly help open some doors, and ultimately that should help me get pretty good access when required. I led a trade delegation last year and went on two very successful missions to India and to China with the Prime Minister, so I know how it all works and I know what diplomacy means," he says.
Guy says an important part of his role is to connect back to farmers and growers and share insights from his overseas connections.
McClay says the position supports key government objectives, including ensuring that our trading partners understand our approach to agriculture and primary production.
"The role also focuses on raising the performance of NZ's agricultural and primary sector exports in global markets, thereby contributing to the Government's goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years. Guy's immediate priorities will be to advocate for New Zealand's primary production interests from the perspectgive of a practising farmer," says McClay.
McClay says he's asked Guy to show particular focus on India and GCC markets, to leverage the opportunities that trade agreements with these countries would present.
