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Negotiations on the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) were substantively concluded on 30 May 2009.
The MNZFTA represents a high quality and comprehensive Agreement that builds on the commitments already secured from Malaysia in the context of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
The bilateral FTA with Malaysia will broaden and deepen the trade and economic relationship between Malaysia and New Zealand by creating the conditions for greater flows of goods and services and higher levels of investment through the reduction and removal of bilateral barriers and improved cooperation.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Bilateral. Negotiations commenced in May 2005 but were suspended in April 2006. In May 2008, Malaysian and New Zealand Trade Ministers agreed to resume negotiations and since then four further negotiating rounds were held before negotiations were substantively concluded on 30 May 2009.
Malaysia and New Zealand will now be undertaking legal and technical verification of the FTA documents and New Zealand will be seeking cabinet approval of the outcomes prior to signature. Upon signature, full details of the FTA will be made publicly available.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
As with other New Zealand FTAs, New Zealand will seek specific provision whereby New Zealand maintains its rights to take measures including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. Maori have been and will be further consulted as part of the general public and stakeholder consultations.
Public submissions were invited in October 2004 in anticipation of the launch of FTA negotiations. Regular updates on negotiations are posted on the Ministry’s website as well as an invitation to stakeholders to contact negotiators with any trade concerns they would like addressed in the FTA. General and specific dialogue has also been and will be further undertaken with firms and interest groups around the country.Legislation required:
Yes. The timing of legislation related to the Malaysia–New Zealand FTA is not yet clear and will depend on the agreed date for signature. It is likely, however, that the relevant legislation will be introduced to the House in either the second half of 2009 or the first half of 2010.
Contact:
Luke Leonard
Coordinator, Malaysia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
luke.leonard@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8084 Fax (04) 439 8545
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The objectives of Hong Kong and New Zealand in negotiating this Agreement are:
(i) to strengthen their bilateral relationship through the establishment of a mutually beneficial closer economic partnership;
(ii) to liberalise, facilitate and expand bilateral trade in goods and services;
(iii) to ensure a liberal, open bilateral environment to expand investment building on existing frameworks;
(iv) to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of their goods and services sectors; and
(v) to ensure measures affecting trade and investment between the two economies are transparent, fair and equitable.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Bilateral. Under negotiation. In April 2001, New Zealand announced its intention to negotiate a CEP agreement with Hong Kong. Five rounds of negotiations took place. The negotiations were suspended in 2002 due to difficulties relating to rules of origin. The negotiations resumed in May 2009. The second round of resumed negotiations will take place in July 2009.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
As with other New Zealand Free Trade Agreements, New Zealand will seek a specific provision whereby New Zealand maintains its rights to take measures including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Regular consultations will be held with business and other stakeholders. Negotiators welcome input from interested groups.
Legislation required:
Not yet clear.
Contact:
Julian Ludbrook
Lead Negotiator
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
julian.ludbrook@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8097 Fax (04) 439 8522
These negotiations are for a further round of multilateral trade liberalisation under the WTO, following on from the Uruguay Round. They involve cuts in tariffs and subsidies in agricultural and non-agricultural goods, expanded commitments on market access in services and various aspects of WTO rules.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Multilateral. The negotiations were launched on the basis of decisions taken at the WTO ministerial meeting in Doha in November 2001. Following suspension in July 2006 negotiations have resumed. Efforts are currently being made to conclude an agreement on the methodology for trade liberalisation of agriculture and industrial goods by early 2009.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
To the extent that trade liberalisation has an impact on New Zealand export opportunities and export growth, Maori would expect to benefit along with other members of the New Zealand workforce and other New Zealand business groups. There may also be limited impacts on specific companies or sectors if New Zealand cuts tariffs as a result of commitments under the new Agreement. Previous analysis suggests that liberalisation of trade in agriculture, fisheries and forestry will have larger benefits for Maori than some other groups in the population because of the level of their participation in these sectors of the economy.
The DDA covers a wide range of sectors. There has been consultation with interested groups across the range of sectors.
Legislation required:
Not yet clear, will depend on outcome of negotiations.
Contact:
Mark Sinclair
Director
Trade Negotiations Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
mark.sinclair@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8296 Fax (04) 439 8522
The aim of the Agreement is to facilitate trade among World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) members by reaching agreement on a set of core labelling requirements which will, if met, allow a wine producer to use an identical common wine label in each of the WWTG markets.
New Zealand’s commitments are to accept imports of wine labelled in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Multilateral. New Zealand signed the Agreement on 23 January 2007, and is working towards ratification.
Website:
International Trade Organisation more [external link]
Particular interest to Maori:
There have been extensive consultations with New Zealand Winegrowers, the group representing the New Zealand wine industry.
Legislation required:
No. The Agreement can be accommodated within New Zealand’s current regulatory framework and practice.
Contact:
Mark Sinclair
Director
Trade Negotiations Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
mark.sinclair@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8296 Fax (04) 439 8522top of page
New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC, a regional economic grouping comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman) have held five rounds of FTA negotiations to date. The fifth round of negotiations was held in Muscat in May 2009. The sixth round has been tentatively scheduled for October 2009.
Following very good progress at recent rounds substantive negotiations could be completed by the end of 2009 or early 2010.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Bilateral. Five rounds of negotiations with the GCC have been completed. The sixth round is expected to take place in October 2009.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
As with other New Zealand FTAs, New Zealand will seek specific provision whereby New Zealand maintains its rights to take measures including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Regular consultations have been held with business and other stakeholders through outreach visits. Negotiators continue to welcome input from interested groups. Further details are provided in a Public Background Information Paper available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.Legislation required:
Not yet clear.
Contact:
Katja Ackerley
Coordinator, GCC/NZ FTA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
katja.ackerley@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8228 Fax (04) 439 8522
The EC/NZ Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is designed to facilitate trade in covered products between New Zealand and the European Community and reduce compliance costs by requiring each Party to recognise conformity assessment (testing a product, process or service to ensure it meets applicable regulations and standards) carried out in the territory of the other Party. New Zealand products can be tested in New Zealand to European standards before export, meaning that they need not be re-tested on arrival in Europe (and vice-versa).
The sectors currently covered by the MRA are: medical devices; medicinal products good manufacturing practice (GMP); telecommunications terminal equipment; low voltage equipment; electromagnetic compatibility; machinery; and pressure equipment.
Amendments to the MRA are needed to remove administrative complexities that prevent the Agreement from functioning effectively and to facilitate eventual implementation of the proposed joint Australia-New Zealand Scheme for the Regulation of Therapeutic Products.
Given that Australia was in the process of negotiating similar amendments to its MRA with the EU, and given the commitment at that time to establish an Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA), it was decided to align the New Zealand-EU and Australia-EU MRAs – particularly the sectoral annexes on medical devices and medicinal products GMP. Negotiations with Australia over the sectoral annexes are ongoing.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Economic Development
Status:
Bilateral but in conjunction with the Australia/European Union MRA negotiation.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
No specific impact on Maori stakeholders anticipated.
It is intended that simplification of the Agreement’s mechanisms will facilitate trade, including making it easier to increase the sectoral coverage. This should reduce compliance costs for New Zealand exporters.Legislation required:
No
Contact:
Laurie Knight
Senior Policy Analyst
Standards, Sustainability and Trade Facilitation
Competition, Trade and Investment Branch
Ministry of Economic Development
laurie.knight@med.govt.nz
Ph (04) 978 3801 Fax (04) 499 8508top of pageThe objectives of negotiating an agreement with Switzerland on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products include:
(i) a reduction in the frequency of border inspection checks;
(ii) recognition of equivalence of New Zealand sanitary standards;
(iii) increased commercial certainty for New Zealand exporters; and
(iv) reduced exporter compliance costs.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Bilateral. Negotiations commenced in February 2008 and are ongoing.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
No specific impact on Maori stakeholders anticipated.
The New Zealand meat, seafood and dairy industries support the pursuit of bilateral sanitary agreements with trading partners so as to minimise compliance coasts and facilitate trade.Legislation required:
No.
Contact:
James Andersen
Policy Officer
Europe Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
james.andersen@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8360 Fax (04) 439 8523
(a) Brunei’s Government Procurement and Services Schedules
The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (the Agreement) between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand & Singapore was concluded in 2005. At that time, Brunei was given additional time to negotiate its schedules on government procurement and services and complete its ratification of the Agreement.
The Commission established under the Agreement (which is made up of representatives of the four Parties to the Agreement) is to consider whether to accept Brunei’s government procurement and services schedules by 20 February 2009. The Commission’s acceptance of Brunei’s schedules is binding on the Parties and will require Brunei to deposit an Instrument of Ratification, Acceptance or Approval within two months of the decision of the Commission. The Agreement shall enter into force for Brunei 30 days after the deposit of such instrument and shall no longer be provisionally applied to Brunei.
Once the Commission has accepted Brunei’s services and government procurement schedules and Brunei has completed its ratification of Agreement, New Zealand’s services and government procurement commitments made under the Agreement will be automatically extended to Brunei, and New Zealand will receive the benefit of Brunei’s commitments.
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Plurilateral. Negotiations commenced May 2008. Negotiations are concluded. Awaiting Brunei’s completion of the ratification process.
Legislation required:
No
Contact:
Sarah Lovegrove
Trans Pacific Partnership Coordinator
Free Trade Agreement Unit
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
sarah.lovegrove@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8607 Fax (04) 439 8516
(b) Accession of New Members to the Trans Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement
This is a free trade agreement negotiation for the accession of new members - the United States, Australia, Peru and Viet Nam (initially as an observer) to the Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (between Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore). Accession to the Agreement is “on terms to be agreed”, and will include amendments to the text of the Agreement.
It is anticipated that the expanded Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement will cover trade in goods, services and investment as well as rules supporting that trade (e.g. rules of origin, customs procedures, trade remedies), in addition to addressing non-tariff measures (such as intellectual property, government procurement, sanitary and phytosanitary issues and technical barriers to trade).
Lead agency:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Status:
Plurilateral. The first round of negotiations has not yet taken place.
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
As with other New Zealand Free Trade Agreements, New Zealand will seek specific provision whereby New Zealand maintains its rights to take measures including in fulfilment of its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi.
Regular consultations have been held with business and other stakeholders through outreach visits. Negotiators continue to welcome input from interested groups. Further details are provided on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Legislation required:
Yes
Contact:
Sarah Lovegrove
Trans Pacific Partnership Coordinator
Free Trade Agreement Unit
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
sarah.lovegrove@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8607 Fax (04) 439 8516
Esther Guy-Meakin
Trans Pacific Partnership Implementation Officer
Americas Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
esther.guy-meakin@mfat.govt.nz
Ph (04) 439 8446 Fax (04) 439 8516
The Convention Establishing a Customs Cooperation Council established the Customs Cooperation Council, which is now known as the World Customs Organization (WCO). The WCO is the only intergovernmental forum for customs administrations to discuss customs matters. Currently, only States can become party to the Convention because the Convention does not make provision for Customs or Economic Unions, such as the European Community (EC), to be members.
The amendments to the Convention will allow Customs or Economic Unions to apply for membership of the WCO. If such an application is approved by the WCO, the Customs or Economic Unions would be entitled to accede to the Convention. The Amendments are, in part, a response to a long-standing request by the EC for membership of the WCO.
Lead agency:
New Zealand Customs Service
Status:
Multilateral. Most steps in the process have been completed, with the exception of the necessary amendments to the Diplomatic Privileges (Customs Cooperation Council) Order 1963 to enable NZ to accept the amendments. The parliamentary treaty examination process was completed on 30 September 2008.
Website:
Convention Establishing a Customs Co-operation Council more [external link]
Particular interest to Maori and other groups:
The amendments are not anticipated to have an impact on Maori interests or on other stakeholders.
Legislation required:
Yes. The Diplomatic Privileges (Customs Cooperation Council) Order 1963 will need to be amended prior to notification that NZ accepts the amendments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has instructed the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office to draft the necessary amendments.
Contact:
Sam Lockyer
Senior Policy Analyst
Trade Policy
New Zealand Customs Service
sam.lockyer@customs.govt.nz
Ph (04) 462 0399 Fax (04) 472 3886
