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Second CPTPP Senior Officials Meeting progresses – Accessions, Upgrade Negotiations, and Dialogues
CPTPP Senior Officials met from 12-15 May in London. Discussions involved expanding CPTPP through accessions, leveraging the agreement through Trade and Investment Dialogues with the EU and ASEAN, and modernising CPTPP rules through upgrade negotiations. Officials welcomed the earlier announcement of Costa Rica’s substantial conclusion of negotiations for accession to the CPTPP, held the first Accession Working Group meeting with Uruguay, and met with counterparts from the EU. Further senior officials and ministerial meetings are scheduled for later this year.
WTO Public Forum 2026
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is hosting this year's Public Forum on 15-17 September with the theme of ‘Trade in Services’. It will examine the role of Services as an engine of development, a source of income, and a driver of job creation and empowerment worldwide, particularly for women and young people. More information on the Public Forum can be found on the WTO’s website WTO | - Public Forum 2026 - "Powering the Future"(external link).
MFAT has previously providing funding in support of New Zealand business participation. If you would like to be considered, please send a short submission to exports@mfat.govt.nz.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister visits New Zealand to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations
From 26 to 31 May, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath visited New Zealand to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
This visit marked a major advancement in bilateral relations – it was the first visit by a Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to New Zealand in more than a decade, and it coincided with the official opening of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Wellington, the first permanent Sri Lankan diplomatic presence in New Zealand.
As part of the visit, New Zealand and Sri Lanka announced the intention to negotiate a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA). The TIFA will build on cooperation already underway and is intended to provide a valuable platform for dialogue, help identify trade and investment opportunities, address associated challenges, and grow trade in a way that benefits both countries.
Feedback
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 have suggestions on a topic you would like to hear more about, or to subscribe to this weekly update, you can sign up here(external link) or email us at exports@mfat.govt.nz
Market reports released this week
- Read the previous global economic round-up
- New Zealand Participates in USTR Section 301 Investigation into ‘Forced Labour’ – May 2026
A full list of global economic round-ups can be found here(external link)
If you would like to request a topic for reporting please email exports@mfat.govt.nz
External links
The following links may provide useful information to businesses:
NZTE’s website(external link) and their myNZTE(external link) provides a range of insights and tools available to support 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.
Business.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.
The all of government Trade Barriers(external link) website can be used to register any trade barriers experienced or issues exporting to an offshore market. Queries can be sent via the website or through the MFAT Exporter Helpline 0800 824 605. Enquiries will be sent to the government agency best placed to answer.
Tatauranga Aotearoa Stats NZ provides official data on the value of New Zealand’s exports and imports of both goods and services, by commodity type via the New Zealand Trade Dashboard(external link). This interactive dashboard is updated every quarter and allows for filtering by country and by commodity type.
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Learn more about exporting
New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s comprehensive market guides(external link) cover export regulations, business culture, market-entry strategies and more.
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.
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