November 07, 2019
Maori to benefit from free trade deals
The head of a group set up to give Māori input to international trade talks says agreements reached at this month’s East Asia Summit in Bangkok should benefit Māori producers.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern signed an upgrade to the China-New Zealand Free trade Agreement that will give New Zealand paper and wood products preferential access to the Chinese market.
The deal also removes red tape so exporters can expect faster customs clearance, with perishable items such as fresh seafood getting through the port in less than six hours.
Progress was also made on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership involving the ASEAN nations plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, with only a commitment from India still lacking.
Chris Karamea Insley from Te Taumata says it was a positive week for Māori.
"It means that as our farmers, our forestry, our Māori businesses produce a lot of these various products, there higher degree of certainty that through these negotiations our products will have access into these valuable markets," he says.
Chris Insley says while much of the work of the Chine Free Trade Agreement was done before Te Taumata was formed, Maori will have some input into the work done for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
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