Press Release - Pakistan-New Zealand Explore Trade Opportunities

HIGH COMMISSION FOR PAKISTAN
WELLINGTON

PRESS RELEASE

Pakistan-New Zealand Explore Trade Opportunities



After a gap of 22 years, the Inaugural session of the Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC), was held at Wellington, New Zealand on March 15, 2012. Pakistan’s delegation was led by Secretary Commerce Mr. Zafar Mahmood. New Zealand side was headed by Dr. David Walker, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

During the meeting both sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral trade and ways and means to further enhance the economic co-operation. Measures to establish institutional linkages between Pakistan and New Zealand, especially, in the field of agriculture value chain and dairy industry were agreed upon.

The Secretary conveyed Pakistan’s desire to benefit from New Zealand’s expertise in the following areas:

•    Agriculture and food processing (especially dairy);
•    Technical-level education in food processing, animal health, post-harvest techniques and dairy;
•    Renewable energy sources.

Pakistan also expressed the desire to export mangoes to New Zealand.

Secretary Commerce conveyed Pakistan’s expression of interest to initiate negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with New Zealand.

The Secretary stated that Pakistan will send a business delegation to New Zealand around November 2012. He also invited a New Zealand business delegation to Pakistan.

The meeting held under the Pakistan-New Zealand Trade agreement initialed in 1990, is expected to provide a new direction to bilateral trade to achieve its full potential. At present, the total volume of Pakistan-New Zealand trade is NZ$151  million and the balance of trade is in favour of New Zealand.
 
The Pakistan delegation also called on Mr. John Hayes, MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee.

    The High Commissioner H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, hosted a dinner in honour charactersf the visiting Pakistan delegation. The dinner was attended by Pakistan and New Zealand delegations. Amongst others, Mr. John Hayes, MP, Parliamentary Secretary and Chairperson of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, Mr. Tariq Iqbal Puri, Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Mr. Phil O’Reilly, Chief Executive Business New Zealand, Mr. Grant McPherson, Chief Executive Education New Zealand and High Commissioners and Ambassadors based in Wellington, were in attendance.


PR 02/2012

16 March, 2012
Wellington


 
High Commission for Pakistan
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