20 December 2000
Dear Sir/Madam
I am pleased to write to you as one of the Economic Ministers in Cabinet to follow up the discussion at the recent
Business-Government Forum in Auckland and to outline the specific steps I am taking in my portfolios to respond to
business concerns.
I was sorry not to be able to attend the Forum as I was leading a trade delegation to Turkey. I was delighted however to
learn of the Forum's support for trade missions and can report that between New Zealand and Turkey there is a growing
amount of trade in services, particularly education, and agriculture products.
In my role as Minister for Trade Negotiations I am determined to continue and extend the Government's partnership with
business as we encourage new trade and investment, work to remove trade barriers and, where appropriate, enter into
bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. An attachment to this letter outlines developments in my Trade Negotiations
portfolio this year and some key objectives for the year to come. I would welcome your input into this either directly
or through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
I have asked the Ministry to look to develop even further its already substantial interaction with business. The
Ministry's Business Communication Coordinator, Tracey Black (phone 473 2157, fax 494 8518, email
tracey.black@mfat.govt.nz) provides a convenient central contact point. The Ministry's senior management is willing to
meet with business representatives at any time to discuss any aspect of the Government's trade policy strategy.
I consider it essential that the Government takes every effort to ensure that the international trading environment is
favourable to our exporters, that you can - and do - fully exploit the comparative and competitive advantages open to
you and that the Government actively supports New Zealand companies in key markets.
I am very aware of business compliance costs and my contribution to reducing those costs is to work for lower trade
barriers in those countries to which we export.
As you know I also have responsibility for the Government's trade development promotion agency, Trade New Zealand, which
has a very experienced team in offices throughout New Zealand and Trade Commissions in many countries of the world, with
networks extending into others.
Trade NZ provides a wide range of services to help exporters convert overseas business opportunities into sustainable
and profitable export earnings. It assists both existing exporters to expand their export business in international
markets and new exporters who are taking on an export market for the first time. This year we have responded to the
needs expressed by exporters with three significant initiatives.
We have provided additional funding to Trade NZ for a major e-commerce initiative that will enable it to provide help
for small and medium exporters to gain access to the global economy by using the internet to trade offshore.
The promotion of New Zealand education overseas is being boosted through the development and implementation of a new
education export strategy. Proposals have been developed for a new export credit guarantee scheme which we expect to be
in place by 31 March next year.
International investment can play a critical role in developing new business and expanding our trading links with the
world. As the Government's international investment agency, Trade NZ promotes and facilitates new overseas business
investment into New Zealand. We have expanded Trade NZ's role in this area to ensure it is able to take a more proactive
approach toward bringing to New Zealand investors and companies that are most likely to benefit our economy.
If you wish to find out more about how Trade NZ can assist your company, you can visit them on their website at
www.tradenz.govt.nz or call their Export Hotline on 0800 555 888. A corporate profile of Trade NZ is also enclosed for
your information.
I am also the Minister of Agriculture with responsibility for New Zealand's biggest and most important business sector,
producing 60% of exports and the base for much of our future economic development and our developments and innovation in
science and technology. I am responsible to the Government for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, although I am
not the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries or Biosecurity. I am responsible for the Food Assurance Division of MAF and am
proud that it has an international reputation second to none.
With sound advice from MAF and from others in the Government and Private Sector, I am closely monitoring the various
Agriculture productive sectors and their Statutory Boards. I am not against reform or deregulation, but believe that any
changes in a sector have to be made with majority producer support, protection of minorities and full consideration of
the public interest.
I am also this country's first Minister for Rural Affairs and provide a voice in Cabinet for those living, working and
doing business in rural areas. I am concerned that rural areas, so critical to our economy, have the roads,
telecommunications, energy supplies and access to health and education services, that their urban cousins take for
granted.
Thank you for the contribution you are making to the economy of this country. My best wishes for Christmas and for a
prosperous 2001.
Yours sincerely
Hon Jim Sutton Minister for Trade Negotiations Minister of Agriculture Minister for Rural Affairs
Office of Hon Jim Sutton