NZ US Council At Chicargo TPP Negotiations

The NZ US Council will be represented at the eighth round of negotiations to expand the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Chicago next week.

"Negotiators from the nine TPP partners are continuing to make progress and the Chicago round provides an opportunity to pick up the pace as they work towards the APEC meetings in Honolulu in November at which the broad outlines of an agreement are expected to be made available," said NZ US Council Executive Director, Stephen Jacobi.

"TPP remains an ambitious undertaking. To live up to its promise as a "high quality" agreement for the 21st century TPP needs to create an environment where doing business is made easier - improved market access, lower compliance costs, simple rules and transparent regulations are all on the agenda. That's why business organisations are following these negotiations closely."

Mr Jacobi said he would participate along with other New Zealand business representatives in the TPP Stakeholder Forum being held on Saturday 10 September. Mr Jacobi's address would outline a New Zealand business vision for TPP.

"We believe that TPP if successfully concluded can bring benefits for the New Zealand economy, New Zealand citizens and New Zealand workers. We realise that others remain to be convinced. We accept that there needs to be a robust public debate about TPP. That's why we are happy to participate alongside other stakeholders at the Chicago event."

Mr Jacobi said the Council was continuing to co-ordinate closely with like-minded business organisations from around the Asia Pacific region to support the negotiation and would be meeting with business allies while in Chicago.

For further information please contact:

Stephen Jacobi, Executive Director, 0294 725 502

Gabrielle Rush, Associate Director 021 377 686

About The Trans Pacific Partnership

TPP is an existing trade agreement between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore which Australia, Malaysia, Peru, the United States and Viet Nam wish to join. Seven rounds of negotiations have been held involving the nine partners. The economies of APEC account for over 70% of New Zealand's total merchandise trade. Trade with APEC economies has been growing at an average of 4.5% per annum over the last 20 years.

About the NZUS Council - http://www.nzuscouncil.com

The NZ US Council is a non-partisan body funded by both business and the Government to promote New Zealand's broader relationship with the US. Two-way trade with the US is valued at over $8 billion and the US is a leading source of investment, innovation and business ideas. The NZ US Council is actively engaged in co-ordinating business and government efforts towards concluding a comprehensive, high quality result to the TPP negotiations.

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