Finance Minister Bill English, Trade Minister Tim Groser and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges are all boarding planes this week, heading overseas.
English will attend a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in Sydney, Groser heads to Singapore to partake in the the next round of negotiations on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and Bridges will rack up the most airpoints, heading to Norway, the United States and Canada to meet his ministerial counterparts and various industry experts.
English says as host of the G20 this year, Australia has invited New Zealand to attend as a guest.
“New Zealand strongly supports Australia’s approach to the G20 presidency, including its focus on promoting strong economic growth and employment, and making the global economy more resilient to deal with future shocks,” says English.
“Australian Prime Minister Abbott has also invited New Zealand to join the Australian Leadership Group of the Business 20, a forum that brings together business leaders from across the G20."
“Later this year, Australia will host an Australasian business week involving over 400 of the world’s top business leaders. Such significant opportunities do not come along often. We appreciate Australia providing this opportunity for New Zealand, both at a political and business level, to showcase our country at an important international forum," English says.
On the agenda at the finance ministers’ meeting, from Friday to Sunday, are issues including the global economy, investment and infrastructure, the challenge of managing growth, and taxation.
Whilst in Sydney English hopes to hold bilateral meetings with both British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, and Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
'Momentum accelerating'
Of the TTP Groser says "the momentum of negotiations is accelerating," with work completed last December "identifying potential landing zones" for the majority of key outstanding issues in the negotiations.
“The key objective of this upcoming meeting is to focus on resolving all outstanding issues with the aim of substantively completing a comprehensive and balanced, regional agreement that achieves the goals leaders established in Honolulu in 2011," Groser says.
“Concluding the TPP will open goods markets, reduce regulatory barriers, and liberalise services and investment flows. This is crucial for New Zealand because international trade and investment underpin our economic performance.”
The controversial TPP negotiations are striving to create a free trade agreement incorporating 12 Asia-Pacific countries being Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Viet Nam.
'Promoting NZ as an energy exploration and production destination'
Discussions on his travels will focus on the latest developments in petroleum regulatory systems for health and safety and the environment, as well as issues and challenges facing the global energy market, says Bridges.
However, he says he'll also be promoting New Zealand as an energy exploration and production destination and fostering bilateral energy relationships.
“With the fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world, New Zealand is an excellent destination to promote,” says Bridges.
“Changes to the Crown Minerals Act last year and the introduction of new legislation governing activities in the EEZ means we’ve got world-leading regulation, which is attractive to responsible operators.”
In Norway he'll meet Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tord Lien, and Trade and Industry Minister Monica Maeland, plus petroleum industry and regulatory leaders. In the US Bridges will meet Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, and other officials in Washington. He'll also visit Houston. On top of this Bridges will attend the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference.
“This will be a good opportunity to promote New Zealand and show them what we’ve got to offer,” Bridges says.
“In particular, I’ll be encouraging companies to take a closer look at our Platinum NZ 2013 minerals tender, involving a competitive tender for metallic mineral exploration permits over five separate areas located in the Southland, West Coast, Tasman and Nelson-Marlborough regions of the South Island.”
In Canada Bridges will also meet Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver, and Industry Minister James Moore.
We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.
Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.