23 October 2009 Media Advisory

Street to support signing of Malaysia Free Trade Agreement

Labour’s Trade Spokesperson Maryan Street will this weekend be accompanying Prime Minister John Key and Trade Minister Tim Groser to Malaysia to witness the signing of the Malaysia bilateral Free Trade Agreement in Kuala Lumpur.

“It is important that Malaysian and New Zealand business people understand that New Zealand’s approach to trade is shared by both major parties,” said Maryan Street.

“My attendance at the signing of the FTA with Malaysia underlines that point and
continues the tradition developed by Labour Leader, Phil Goff, when he was Trade Minister. He would take Tim Groser, then Opposition Trade Spokesperson, with him to FTA signings. This is the second time this year that Tim Groser has invited me to attend such an event and I am pleased to do so.

“The Malaysian bilateral agreement builds on the Australia-New Zealand-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement signed in February this year. It is even more favourable to us than that one and will see the elimination of tariffs on New Zealand exports to Malaysia reduce virtually to zero over the next few years.

“Malaysia is our sixth biggest trading partner and this agreement will only be good for our exporters,” she said.

“I will also be visiting the UNHCR compound in Kuala Lumpur, as I did in 2006, to receive an update on the plight of Burmese refugees there.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media