Asia-Pacific business leaders to meet in Auckland

Asia-Pacific business leaders to meet in Auckland to talk trade, SMEs and digital economy

Business New Zealand will host a meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) from 1-4 February in Auckland, Chief Executive Kirk Hope announced today.

"We are delighted to welcome this prestigious gathering of senior business leaders from around the powerhouse Asia-Pacific region," Mr Hope said.

"The ABAC group is tasked with developing recommendations on business priorities and concerns for the region’s Leaders. The issues they will be talking about are central to New Zealand’s future prosperity. So it is a huge honour and opportunity to host these discussions in Auckland."

"We want to see strong, inclusive and sustainable growth in our region. That will deliver jobs and better living standards for all New Zealanders," Mr Hope said. "Key priorities for New Zealand at this meeting will include freeing up trade for goods and services, enabling small businesses and women’s entrepreneurship, and grappling with the challenges of the ‘digital economy’ and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth."

Mr Hope added that the meeting was a valuable opportunity to showcase the best of Auckland and New Zealand innovation, business capability and dynamism. "We have a lot to offer and we look forward to helping build New Zealand’s profile in the Asia-Pacific."

The ABAC meeting and associated events are being funded by business supporters and the New Zealand Government (through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade). The lead sponsor is ANZ.

ANZ Managing Director Institutional NZ Paul Goodwin said ABAC is an excellent opportunity to encourage trade flows within the region.

"ANZ is proud to help bring together Asia Pacific’s senior business community with the aim of forging stronger links between New Zealand and our trading partners," Mr Goodwin said.

Other sponsors are Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Douglas Pharmaceuticals and the Bank of China (NZ) Ltd. Support is also being provided by Fonterra and the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF).

New Zealand’s three ABAC members are Katherine Rich of the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council, Tenby Powell of Hunter Powell Investments, and Phil O’Reilly of Iron Duke Partners; Stephen Jacobi (Executive Director of NZIBF) serves as Alternate Member.

New Zealand will Chair APEC in 2021, and will host a range of APEC meetings that year.

ENDS

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