New Zealand has stated it is not only focussed on selling things to Fiji but in a longer term, wants to work alongside Fiji to grow our economies.

This was emphasised by New Zealand High Commissioner, Mark Ramsdem, yesterday at the tripartite gathering of the Fiji, Australia and New Zealand Business Councils at The Pearl in Pacific Harbour.

He said they are committed to ensuring the jobs and economic opportunities are made available to our people.

Mr Ramsden highlighted in 2015, New Zealand exports to Fiji were valued at over NZ$400 million (FJ$596 million), more than their exports to Italy, France or Mexico.

“In the same year, Fijian exports to New Zealand were valued at NZ$60 million (FJ$90 million),” he said.

Thus, Mr Ramsden said Fiji was really important to New Zealand businesses.

He said Fiji is the largest Pacific trading partner for New Zealand, accounting for close to 40 per cent of New Zealand’s goods exports to Forum Island Countries.

PACER Plus

Fiji, in the past week, announced that we will not endorse the legal text of the PACER Plus agreement.

Mr Ramsden said this was a negotiations and “We received Fiji’s message loud and clear last week about difficulties with PACER Plus.”

He confirmed they will be engaging at officials’ level shortly on that.

However, Mr Ramsden encouraged all the businesses here to stay engaged with the process and feed in areas that the agreement could address.

Mr Ramsden added through PACER Plus, New Zealand is seeking to further deepen links with the Pacific and strengthen regional economic integration.

“From our own experience as a small country, distant from its key markets, we see great value in regional integration for all countries,” he added.

Mr Ramsden stressed Fiji’s involvement in the Recognised Seasonal Workers scheme has been really positive and mutually beneficially, enabling growth in the industry.

Edited By: RACHNA LAL