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New Zealand (NZ) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern brought trade delegations from more than 30 New Zealand companies to Melbourne and Sydney this week as part of the New Zealand Government’s reconnection strategy for a second official visit within a month. to hold. Export growth and tourist return after lockdown after COVID-19.
“This trade delegation is one of many steps the government is taking to reconnect New Zealand and the world while actively strengthening partnerships between governments, businesses and industries,” Jacinda Ardern said. Said in a media announcement on the trip on July 4th.
“The 32 New Zealand business leaders on this trade delegation range from our largest exporters to small innovative companies relatively early in our export journey with Australia. It shows the importance of trade relations. “
Australia is New Zealand’s second largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in 2021 worth more than NZ $ 22 billion (US $ 13.6 billion).
The main focus of this trip is also on the tourism industry, where Ardern will meet with industry leaders from both countries in Sydney.
The pandemic border control carried out by the Ardern government meant that New Zealand’s tourism industry was hit hard by the pandemic by the tourism industry Aotearoa (TIA). say it The industry lost an estimated 120,000 employees during the pandemic.
New Zealand Small Business Tourism Minister Stuart Nash, also traveling with Prime Minister Kiwi, is the country’s largest source of visitors for Australia to generate more than A $ 2.45 billion (US $ 1.66 billion) in New Zealand’s economy. I said that.
“Australia is also New Zealand’s largest visitor, with more than 1.55 million visitors to our coast in 2019, contributing more than $ 2.7 billion to the economy. Borders open and pre-departure testing abolished. By welcoming Australian friends, we have a great opportunity to restore tourism, “says Nash.
Leaders to meet for the first Leadership Forum since 2019
While in Sydney, Ardern will also meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Annual Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF).
The forum will be held for the first time since 2019 and will allow industry leaders from both countries to discuss issues such as economic ties and recovery, regional security, migration environments and climate change.
“The forum is an important opportunity to interact with governments and business leaders on both sides of Tasman on the sharing economy recovery in an increasingly uncertain world,” Ardern said.
“On Friday, Prime Minister Albanese and I will hold an annual summit to exchange further views on a wide range of global issues such as the Ukrainian War and climate change, and to discuss important regional issues ahead of the Pacific Island Forum. hand.
“We have invited key ministers to our conference, allowing for richer discussions on issues of particular interest. Such conversations, as we are allies and families, make this transition and renewal. It’s more important than ever to ensure that we’re faced together during this time. “
Ardan will travel with seven ministries, including Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, Minister of Trade and Export Damian O’Connor, Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash, Minister of Immigration Michael Wood, and Minister of Climate Change James Shaw.
Albanese Said He was pleased to welcome the Prime Minister of New Zealand after his recent visit to the Prime Minister of New Zealand in June.
“This was the second bilateral meeting last month, which reflects the closeness of our Trans-Tusman relationship. It’s really one of our families,” he said. “I look forward to discussing ways to strengthen the bond between Australia and one of our closest neighbors.”
The two Prime Ministers will also be working on the Transtasman Innovation and Growth Awards event, and Ardern will give a policy speech at the Lowy Institute for International Policy.
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Victoria Kelly-Clark is an Australian-based reporter focusing on the national political and geopolitical environment of the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Central Asia.
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