Hon Bill English
Minister of Finance
8 December 2015
New Zealand formally joins Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
New Zealand has formally become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Finance Minister Bill
English says.
Ratification by members with 50 percent of the capital of the AIIB is needed for it to establish operations. New
Zealand’s ratification will contribute to the organisation reaching the 50 percent threshold needed for the AIIB to
establish operations. This is expected to take place by mid-December.
This follows the passage of the International Financial Agreement Amendment Act here in New Zealand in November.
“Being the 9th country to formally become a founding member is the next step on from our early engagement with the
AIIB,” Mr English says.
“New Zealand was the first developed western nation to join negotiations to set up the AIIB, and our membership will
enhance our already strong economic, trade and investment links with the Asian region.
"Through our role in establishing the AIIB, we have been able to ensure it has strong governance, environmental and
social policies, and transparency – so we have good reason to expect it to deliver efficiently and effectively.
“New Zealand is benefitting from the rapid and sustained economic development across Asia. For this to continue, the
region needs to address constraints posed by infrastructure bottlenecks,” he says.
The AIIB will have around NZ$150 billion (US$100 billion) of initial capital to promote sustainable development in the
region.
Its infrastructure investments will include improving transportation links, providing sanitation and clean drinking
water, and supporting cleaner and more sustainable energy.
The AIIB is expected to begin operations in January 2016.
ENDS