China and the FTA - Export Hawke's Bay

China and the FTA - What's going on in our region?

New Zealand has made history by being the first OECD country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with China. There is a real chance for businesses in Hawke's Bay to capitalise on this opportunity. Below is comprehensive list of initiatives and events that are taking place ths year that you should know about.

Sister City Relationships

Hastings District Council partnered with Guilin, Guangxi, China read more...
Hawke's Bay Regional Council partnered with Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China read more...
Napier City Council partnered with Lianyungang, Jiangsu, China read more...

The Regional Council's Sister City of Xuzhou is about 3 hours drive inland from the Napier City Council's Sister City of Lianyungang. These cities are equidistance between Beijing in the north and Shanghai to the south and have good interconnecting transport systems. Xuzhou has a population of 9.2 million and Lianyungang 4.6 million with both populations rapidly gaining in affluence. Lianyungang is a major sea port with indirect shipping links to Napier. Xuzhou is scheduled to open an International airport within two years. Lianyungang is also the Eastern terminal for the Landbridge rail system which connects China with Europe and eventually terminates at Rotterdam. Xuzhou is the 1st stop on this East/West rail link.

Export Opportunities with China

Hawke's Bay Regional Council, the Napier City Council and Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce are jointly investigating opportunities for Hawke's Bay businesses to trade with their Sister Cities in China. Twenty-five local export businesses, or potential exporters of goods and/or services who are interested in being part of this new initiative have lodged their interest with the councils.

Preliminary research undertaken in the Sister Cities during 2007 indicates a high level of interest in trading with the Hawke's Bay region. Chinese businesses have stated a preference to trade directly on a business to business basis without Foreign Affairs or Local Body involvement. However it is prudent that Local Governments retain a background role so they can provide any assistance that may be required at Government level as political links can be very important in assisting to resolve business difficulties if they arise.

Market research will be completed in June 2008 with a trade mission to Xuzhou planned for early 2009. If you would like to more information or would like to register your interest please contact Ron Massey at Napier City Council on ron@napier.govt.nz or ph 06 834 4193.

NZTE Initiatives

In order to help businesses engage with China, practical tools have been developed. These include a comprehensive government website covering everything on the FTA www.chinaFTA.govt.nz, the NZTE guide Navigating China in book and DVD format and the NZTE China FTA website www.nzte.govt.nz/chinafta.

NZTE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in association with other relevant government agencies, are organising a Roadshow to disseminate the content of the FTA and help businesses to build the capability to engage with China.
Click here to view an invitation to the New Zealand China Free Trade Agreement Roadshow at the end of May, beginning of June.