Media Release
From: Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern)
Inc.
New Zealand China Trade Association Inc.
Auckland City Council
Date: 16 January 2008
Mayor Leads Trade Mission to China
Information session 23 January
Hon. John Banks QSO, Mayor of Auckland will lead a trade delegation to attend and exhibit at the 103rd China Import and
Export Fair in Guangzhou, 15-20 April 2008.
This, the Canton Trade Fair, is China's largest which twice a year attracts 190,000 international buyers. An information
session on the fair is being held on Wednesday 23 January 2008, 9:00am - 11:00am in the Auckland Town Hall. Guest
speakers include the Vice Secretary General of the fair, the Chinese Commercial Consul, and key organizers and
supporters.
The trade mission is scheduled to coincide with the expected signing of the New Zealand and China free trade agreement.
As sister cities Auckland and Guangzhou are well placed to explore new opportunities for trade and investment and
further enhance mutual economic prosperity.
"Auckland city businesses benefit significantly from attending this fair. International partnerships, including our
sister city relationship with Guangzhou, bring annual financial benefits of around $55 million to Auckland's economy,"
[1] said Mayor Banks.
Key organizers, New Zealand China Trade Association (NZCTA) and the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern)
Inc. (EMA) have been appointed the official New Zealand agents for the fair by the China Foreign Trade Centre (fair
organizers), enabling them to offer booths to exporters in the international pavilion.
Key supporters are Auckland City Council, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, China Travel Service (CTS), the Confucius
Institute with other business associations working with NZCTA and EMA on a programme of pre-departure information
sessions, as well as meetings and site visits in Guangzhou.
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http://www.nzcta.co.nz/en/trade-missions/
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[1] Assessing the Benefits of Auckland City Council's International
Partnerships. Prepared for Auckland City Council by Covec, July 2007:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/auckland/introduction/sister/covecreport.asp