Promoting New Zealand's trade opportunities: Damien O'Connor outlines the government's approach to trade policy in an increasingly challenging global environment.

AuthorO'Connor, Damien

We are working hard to progress important issues internationally, in an increasingly challenging global environment. Geopolitical competition and trade are becoming more and more intertwined and this is threatening the rules-based trading order we value. Increasing protectionism and the weakening of important international organisations is a concerning trend we need to address. We should not be content with simply preserving the status quo; instead, we should continue to prioritise progress on issues like the environment, labour rights, gender equality and indigenous economies.

Trade policy must benefit all New Zealanders and our Trade for All agenda seeks to do so. We will be best served by trade policy that is consultative and inclusive and recognises the role, voice and views of Maori as Treaty partners. We need trade policy that ensures it supports all New Zealanders and is deliberate in supporting small and medium enterprises, Maori and women-led business to succeed. I have been talking to my colleagues around the world about the importance of these initiatives, and we are making great progress, but we should be realistic that it will take some time to secure all these outcomes.

In December 2020, I explained this government's priorities in what was then, and still is now, an unparalleled international crisis. The priorities were:

* keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19;

* accelerate our economic recovery; and

* lay the foundations for a better future.

One year on these priorities remain relevant, but just as the virus has evolved so has our response.

Government agencies have rolled out significant programmes of work in the past 12 months to help businesses stay connected to offshore markets and accelerate our economic recovery. We have:

* worked to ensure critical global supply chains remain open and resilient, including through our Managed International Air Connectivity scheme;

* continued to increase access to markets through agreements like our free trade agreement with the United Kingdom;

* doubled the number of companies receiving intensive support through NZTE's high-engagement focus portfolio from 700 to 1437;

* increased NZTE's team of in-market experts--our 'boots on the ground' in key growth markets overseas; and

* increased co-investment funding for companies growing overseas through the International Growth Fund, doubling the size of the fund from $30 million to $60 million per year. In November, I visited the Dairy Collective in London, which has used IGF money to expand its business in Europe.

Many challenges remain for New Zealand exporters. Labour and talent shortages, border restrictions, supply chain disruptions--all remain significant obstacles, but we continue our work to deliberately and carefully re-connect New Zealand to the world while ensuring we keep New Zealanders safe from COVID-19.

We are laying the...

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