MPI’s Diana Reaich: Building global trade relationships
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
NZ is an emerging leader in the provision of ag technology — providing for countries that increasingly need to feed growing populations, Primary Industry Minister Nathan Guy told a conference in Beijing yesterday.
"We recognise that increased trade is not just about more products being exported, it's about an exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology and services, and investment," he told the Development Research Centre Food Security and Food Safety Strategy Summit.
He said New Zealand and China's primary sectors were becoming increasingly interconnected through two-way investment and lengthening supply chains.
"Building our own capacity in isolation is not enough – we need to work with our partners to ensure a stable supply of food for our region," he said.
"Strengthening cooperation is a major focus of New Zealand's and China's 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'. We are focussed on consolidating and expanding cooperation in agriculture, including strengthening cooperation in trade, supporting the capability-building of China's dairy sector, and implementing the new Food Supervisory and Traceability Cooperation Programme.
"This has been evidenced by the significant number of cooperation programmes that we have targeted to China's agricultural goals in areas where New Zealand has world class expertise.
"In particular, we have focused our efforts on technical cooperation in dairy, as China seeks to consolidate the recent gains it has made in the productivity and commercialisation of its dairy sector."
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.