Prime Minister’s weekly column
Last week I enjoyed a very successful visit to Cambodia, to attend the East Asia Summit. I had the chance to talk with United States President Barack Obama, and I met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. I also helped to launch negotiations for a new 16-nation regional free trade agreement. This agreement will include the 10 ASEAN states, together with Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and New Zealand. It will help complement……… our existing free trade agreements in Asia. I’m pleased that I was able to reconfirm our commitment to increasing trade with Asia while in Cambodia.
New Zealand has always been a trading nation. We produce innovative products that the world wants to buy. Growing our trade links is a key part of the National-led Government’s plan to build a stronger economy and create more jobs with higher incomes. We have a small domestic market. That means our focus must be beyond our shores. The National-led Government has committed to an active and ongoing programme of boosting our international trade links, with fast-growing Asian economies.
Already this year the Government has led successful trade missions to China,the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, and Singapore. I have also visited Japan, and I plan to visit China next year. These countries are set to be an important part of our economic future. We’re looking to build on the strong people-to-people links we value here in New Zealand.
With stronger trade links a central part of our economic plan, the National-led Government is driving our economy towards a brighter future for all New Zealanders.
