14 March 2012
NZ US Council Conference to Focus on New Business Opportunities from TPP
Join prominent thought leaders, key government officials and some of New Zealand’s leading businesses to hear about the
new business opportunities that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) can deliver, at the 2012 NZ US Council 10th
Anniversary Conference in Auckland, Friday 4 May 2012.
US Ambassador, David Huebner will address the opening ceremony, highlighting the progress made in restoring the
relationship between the two countries and NZ US Chairman Rt Hon James Bolger will chair discussion at the conference.
Fran O’Sullivan, NZ Herald business columnist, will chair the first session, which focuses on the big picture of global
economic challenges and the role that TPP can play in creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth. The place
of TPP in US trade policy will be presented by Jeff Schott of the Peterson Institute in Washington DC, one of America’s
leading trade experts. The business case for TPP will be presented for New Zealand by Auckland Chamber CEO Michael
Barnett, and for the United States by Cal Cohen of the trade association ECAT in Washington.
Beef and Lamb CEO Scott Champion will chair a session featuring David Walker, NZ’s Chief Negotiator, who will discuss
where we are at now in terms of the TPP negotiating process. John Ballingall, NZIER, will look at the expected economic
benefits of the TPP and Hidehiro Okayama, from the Japan Chamber of Commerce, will outline why Japan wants to join the
negotiations.
Trade Minister Tim Groser will speak about TPP and New Zealand’s trade strategy, and key business leaders from the
dairy, wine, pharmaceuticals, banking and manufacturing sectors will explain what TPP will mean for their sector’s
future growth.
The Conference will conclude with a look ahead at what needs to be done to bring TPP to a successful conclusion,
featuring APEC Business Advisory Council Member Tony Nowell, Bill Maroni, President of the USNZ Council in Washington
and Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi.
The NZ US Council 10th Anniversary Conference is an opportunity for high level, strategic discussion and engagement
between participants about the opportunities for further growth in the NZ/US relationship and in the wider Asia Pacific
region.
About the NZUS Council – 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 United States. 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 NZUS Council is actively engaged in co-ordinating business and
government efforts towards concluding a comprehensive, high quality result to the TPP negotiations.
ENDS