Fletcher Tabuteau
Parliamentary Under-Secretary
24 May 2018
Parliamentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau is heading to Papua New Guinea today to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic
Co-operation (APEC) Trade Ministers Meeting in Port Moresby from 25 to 26 May.
Mr Tabuteau will join counterparts from 20 APEC economies to talk about emerging trade and economic opportunities and
challenges in the Asia Pacific region, including ways to support the multilateral trading system, remove barriers to
trade and investment, and promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
“As an exporting economy, New Zealand strongly supports free trade and the rules-based trading system which has led to
greater prosperity for our country and for the Asia Pacific region,” Fletcher Tabuteau said.
“Protectionism in the region would only take us all backwards.
“This meeting is an opportunity to have New Zealand’s voice at the table and make our views clear on these important
issues.
“The Government’s Trade for All Agenda recognises that trade must benefit everyone. I will discuss with APEC partners
how we can work together to pursue trade and economic growth that is more progressive and inclusive,” Fletcher Tabuteau
said.
In the margins of the APEC meeting, Mr Tabuteau will meet with some of his counterparts to discuss wider trade and
economic issues.
APEC includes all the major economies in the Asia Pacific Region: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, the
People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong China, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua
New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Viet
Nam.
APEC includes 14 of New Zealand’s top 20 export markets and covers 71 per cent of
New Zealand’s total goods and services trade.
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