Weekly Global Report:
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We welcome feedback from New Zealand exporters on this report and invite requests for reporting from New Zealand’s network of Embassies and High Commissions. If you would like to be added to the weekly distribution list for this report, please also email us at exports@mfat.net.
Domestic Updates
- Following the detection of the bacterium Salmonella enteritidis in several commercial poultry farms in June, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), in conjunction with the Industry, has now confirmed a programme of testing to determine the extent of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) spread in poultry flocks in New Zealand. This is in response to developing evidence of a potential link between eggs and live poultry and recent cases of SE in humans in New Zealand. This is a preliminary testing programme to determine the potential extent of positive SE poultry flocks in New Zealand (initial delimiting survey). This is in advance of the more comprehensive domestic control and testing standard being promulgated. MPI has already published enhanced controls and testing for all farms supplying eggs, raw poultry meat and day old chicks for export to any market explicitly or implicitly requiring SE assurances.
- On 23 July, the Prime Minister announced that two-way quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia is suspended from 11.59pm (NZT) Friday 23 July 2021 for an initial 8 week period. Subject to flight availability, return flights for eligible travellers will continue until 11.59pm (NZT) Friday 30 July 2021. QFT with Australia will then be fully suspended from 11.59pm (NZT) Friday 30 July 2021, with all eligible travellers required to enter a managed isolation and quarantine facility (MIQ) for 14 days if they arrive after this time. An All-of-Government call centre, operated by the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), has been set up to manage enquiries - New Zealand: 0800 537 726 and Australia: 1800 537 726. The press release is available here(external link).
- The second Government Trade Roadshow took place in Albany, Auckland on 22 July. The event attracted a diverse range of manufacturers and exporters based in Tāmaki Makaurau. In his keynote address, the Minister for Trade and Export Growth spoke about the Government’s trade priorities and his recent travel to Europe to progress the EU and UK Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). MFAT Deputy Secretary Vangelis Vitalis provided an update on progress in New Zealand’s FTA agenda and NZTE CEO Peter Chrisp gave a presentation on Digital Trade. A panel of government officials engaged in work to support New Zealand’s trade-led recovery gave presentations and answered questions on the exporter support services their agencies have to offer to exporters and manufacturers. Feedback from participants following the event suggested that they welcomed the opportunity to connect with a wide range of government agencies in person. Current planning is to hold a similar event in the South Island in late September.
Global & Multilateral Updates
- A hybrid in-person/virtual UN Food Systems Pre-Summit(external link) is taking place in Rome on 26-28 July 2021. This three day pre-summit aims to “set the stage” for the summit itself – a one day event to be held virtually and in-person in New York in September 2021. The Minister for Trade and Export Growth Hon Damien O’Connor will lead the pre-summit delegation and provide a pre-recorded virtual address. The pre-summit is an opportunity for New Zealand to speak to a global audience about its food systems priorities. New Zealand is initially promoting two key proposals through the summit: Seeking additional investment from member states to better measure and report their food production GHG emissions, and highlighting Māori leadership in New Zealand’s food systems.
Regional Updates
Australia and the Pacific
- Successive days of new COVID-19 cases in the low 100s, many of whom had been infectious while in the community, has driven the New South Wales (NSW) Government to enact tighter lockdown measures for Greater Sydney, Australia. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on 28 July that the Greater Sydney lockdown would remain in place for a further 4 weeks. The current lockdown is now stricter and tighter in Greater Sydney than during the last major lockdown in NSW, in April/May 2020, with restrictions placed on essential shopping, exercise, and construction. Residents in the 5 local government areas (LGAs) at the epicentre of the outbreak are only able to leave their LGA if they are essential workers and undertake regular testing. As of July 27, lockdowns in Victoria and South Australia were lifted due to confidence that outbreaks had been contained.
Asia
- China launched its national carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) on Friday 16 July, with ceremonies held in Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan. China’s ETS was first pledged by President Xi in 2015 ahead of the signing of the Paris climate accord(external link), and is the world’s largest by volume, trading 4.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide quotas on its first day. COP26 President Alok Sharma welcomed the launch via tweet and noted he looked forward to continuing to work with China on raising climate ambition ahead of the COP in November.
- Hong Kong and Singapore officials have jointly agreed to defer discussions on a potential air travel bubble until late August, amid the surge in cases in Singapore.
Americas
- A USD 100 million tax credit has been announced for musical and theatrical productions in New York. The two-year programme is designed to help revitalise Broadway and boost tourism. Pre-pandemic Broadway contributed USD 14 billion annually to the New York City economy.
- Canada will remove(external link) 14-day quarantine requirements for international travellers who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to entry and who test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure and on arrival in Canada. This will commence on 9 August for travellers from the United States and on 7 September for those from all other destinations. This will include opening the border for tourists and international students. Further to this, from 9 August, Canada will eliminate the three-day hotel stopover requirement for eligible international travellers entering Canada that are not fully vaccinated. These travellers will continue to be required to complete a 14 day self-isolation during which they must undergo two COVID-19 molecular tests.
- On 15 July, Canadian Transport Minister Alghabra announced(external link) that from 1 November 2021 the prohibition of cruise ships in Canadian waters would no longer be in effect if operators are able to fully comply with public health requirements. The measure aims to help sustain the 2022 Canadian cruise ship season and support the tourism industry.
- Colombia’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism, Maria Ximena Lombana, in her capacity as Pro-Tempore President of the Pacific Alliance, formally announced(external link) the bloc’s conclusion of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Singapore in a virtual ministerial level ceremony on 21 July. This makes Singapore the first country to become an Associate State of the Pacific Alliance, after four years of negotiations. The signing of the agreement will take place at the Pacific Alliance Leaders’ Summit in Colombia in December.
Market reports released this week
- The previous global economic and trade update can be found here.
- A report on the EU Common Agricultural Policy was prepared by the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels and can be read here.
- A report on measures to support the Icelandic Tourism Industry during COVID-19 was prepared by the New Zealand Embassy in Stockholm and can be read here.
- An update on Russia's log export ban is available to read here.
External links
The following links may provide useful information to businesses:
- NZTE(external link) has a website focused on providing COVID-19 information for exporters. They’ve also launched myNZTE(external link), an interactive digital portal of insights and tools available to all New Zealand exporters.
- The Treasury releases a weekly economic update(external link) every Friday. Stats NZ has published a data portal(external link) with near real-time economic indicators.
- MBIE publishes a sector reports series(external link) which provides regularly updated reports on all industry sectors that make up the New Zealand economy. These include official economic data and the challenges and opportunities that face New Zealand’s industry sectors.
- Businesss.govt.nz(external link) provides tools and advice from across government to save small businesses’ time and help make the business a success.
- MFAT has created a tariff finder(external link) which is designed to help goods exporters and importers maximise benefits from New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements and compare tariffs in 136 other markets.
To contact our Export Helpdesk
- Email: exports@mfat.net
- Phone: 0800 824 605
- Visit Tradebarriers.govt.nz(external link)
Disclaimer
This information released in this report aligns with the provisions of the Official Information Act 1982. The opinions and analysis expressed in this report are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views or official policy position of the New Zealand Government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Government take no responsibility for the accuracy of this report.