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Trade Commissioners event

Mon, 5 May, 2014
NZTE, Level 6, 139 Quay Street, Auckland

This highly awaited event held on 5 May was attended by 33 LANZBC members, who enjoyed the Trade Commissioners’ presentation in an informal atmosphere where they heard the opportunities some countries offer to New Zealanders as well as practical orientations on how to do business there. Karlene Davis, Regional Director for South America as well the four Trade Commissioners for the region Rhianon Berry, Trade Commissioner for Chile, Colombia and Peru, Jorge Arguelles, Trade Commissioner for Mexico and Central America and Ralph Hays, Trade Commissioner for Brazil all presented eye opening information about every market of Latin America.

According to Karlene Davis, synergies exist around opportunities in trade, education and tourism. She noted also that New Zealanders’ companies are now doing robust investigations prior to investing in a determined market. Rhianon Berry explained that New Zealand cannot become a member of the Pacific Alliance until it has a trade agreement with all the members. As Chilean investment in the region is growing, New Zealanders’ companies would benefit from joint ventures with them to unlock opportunities elsewhere in South America. Unlike past years, agribusiness is now just 20% of bilateral business with Chile. Kiwi companies are focused on moving up the value chain.

The Trade Commissioner for Brazil, Ralph Hays stressed that this country has the sixth largest population of wealthy people in the world becoming an interesting market for luxury products. On the other hand, Jorge Arguelles informed that President Peña y Nieto has passed four major highly awaited reforms. He remarked that New Zealand trade has expanded its exports beyond the food and beverages sector.

The attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers after the presentation and had time to network. LANZBC President Matthew O’Meagher as well as other 5 of our Directors were at the event : Nick Fitzpatrick from Delica Global, Brendan Mahar from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Kevin Murray from Fonterra, Craig Musson, National Trade Academy, Silvana Schenone from Minter Ellison Rudd Watt, Paolo Lima Director of Suppremo Hospitality as well as our Executive Director Rosemarie Cathalifaud. Among LANZBC members we counted with New World Wines, Pacific Basin Exports, Across Borders, Education NZ, Language Links, Proform Plastics Ltd., Tru-Test, Kaplan International Colleges, Discovery Education, CBL Insurance, AUT University, University of Auckland Business School, Vista Entertainment Solutions and Yealands Estate Wines Ltd.

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