Media Releases
NZUS Council welcomes Malaysia to TPP, encouraged by Japan interest.
12 November 2010
Confirmation at APEC in Yokohama that Malaysia has joined negotiations towards an expanded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement has been welcomed by NZ US Council.
“The inclusion of Malaysia is another step forward toward the long term goal of concluding a high quality, comprehensive, free trade area in the Asia Pacific region,” said NZ US Council Executive Director, Stephen Jacobi. Mr Jacobi was speaking from Yokohama where he is attending the APEC CEO Summit.
“Malaysia has a strong economic record and its involvement will further enhance the economic and strategic importance of the TPP. Malaysia has said it is fully prepared to meet the high level ambition set for TPP and to conclude a high-standard agreement. We very much welcome Malaysia’s involvement”.
Mr Jacobi said that there was strong interest being shown in TPP in Yokohama with the Japanese Government confirming a new trade policy providing for the first time a comprehensive approach to trade negotiations which would include freeing up its highly protected agricultural sector.
“TPP is front and centre of discussions in Yokohama this week and New Zealand is playing a key role. The Japanese Government’s trade policy announcement is very welcome and we look forward to working with Japanese business organisations to promote Japan’s future involvement in TPP.”
The NZ US Council co-sponsored a TPP seminar in Yokohama yesterday (11 November) with the aim of promoting business support for the negotiations. The seminar was hosted jointly with the US APEC Business Coalition and the Singapore Business Federation.
