Full Steam Ahead With Trade Liberalisation

22 April 2002

Mike Moore urges Auckland business leaders not to leave making the case for trade reform to “the most deranged ex-university professor and the strongest headline”.

Mike Moore’s remarks are contained in a video address at a function to introduce the Trade Liberalisation Network to the Auckland business community. The function is to be held on the evening Monday 22 April at the Auckland offices of law firm and TLN sponsor Minter Ellison Rudd Watts. Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton would also address the gathering.

“Mike Moore urges business to take up the challenge of advocating the benefits of trade to New Zealanders”, said TLN Chairman Brian Lynch. “Business needs to stand up and be counted. The TLN has been set up to provide the platform for building broad public understanding and support for trade”.

Mr Lynch was pleased that several Auckland schools had taken up TLN’s invitation to attend the function. “This is a good opportunity to expose tomorrow’s business leaders to the importance of trade”.

In six months since its launch in October 2001 the TLN has established a strong media and public profile and expanded its membership. “The TLN now has 27 corporate members nationwide, encompassing manufacturing, agriculture and services industries. The TLN’s membership includes some of New Zealand’s largest exporters and peak business organisations. Between them they account for over 70 percent of New Zealand’s exports”.

In his remarks Mike Moore gives an update on progress in implementing the decisions reached at the Doha meeting of Trade Ministers in November 2001. TLN Executive Director Stephen Jacobi attended the Doha meeting as a business advisor to the New Zealand delegation.

Remarks prepared for Mike Moore’s video address are attached.
A list of TLN’s corporate members is attached.

Further background about the TLN is available at www.tln.org.nz.

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