Media Release - 4 October 2002-10-04
" We warmly welcome indications that a New Zealand - Chile trade negotiation is finally in the offing" said Trade
Liberalisation Network Acting Director Philip Lewin today. Mr Lewin was commenting in the lead-up to this month's APEC
Leaders Meeting in Mexico, at which a Chile - New Zealand announcement is anticipated.
"In many ways Chile is a natural partner for New Zealand. We have been shoulder to shoulder over many years in the
struggle to prize open Northern Hemisphere agriculture markets. Both our countries are strongly committed to global free
trade in all areas. In keeping with this, any free trade agreement we conclude with Chile must be comprehensive. Dairy
must be in, even if bilateral free trade in this sector has to be phased in over a few years".
"The Trade Liberalisation Network, representing as it does New Zealand's leading exporters and export-focused business
organisations, looks forward to working closely with our Government to ensure we get the very best outcome" concluded Mr
Lewin.
ENDS