Aust and NZ to further economic integration
Australia and New Zealand have agreed on initiatives to accelerate economic integration, the trans-Tasman trade ministers announced today.
Australia and New Zealand have agreed on initiatives to accelerate economic integration, the trans-Tasman trade ministers announced today.
The initiatives included New Zealand membership on the Australian State Ministerial Council on International Trade, collaboration between Austrade and NZTE on Asean-specific projects and co-operations on joint missions.
Trade Minister Tim Groser said substantial progress had been made on greater collaboration.
New Zealand and Australia had a long history of competition but also had a lot in common, he said.
"In the current economic environment, greater integration internationally has the potential to bring significant benefits for our business and for the wider economy."
His Australian counterpart said the closer economic relationship agreement remained Australia's most successful free trade agreement and the next steps would "expand and accelerate" progress towards a single economic market and reduce business costs.
The ministers made the announcement from Uruguay where they are attending the Cairns Group Meeting -- a forum of 19 agriculture exporting nations.
NZPA
Wed, 21 Apr 2010
Wed, 21 Apr 2010
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Aust and NZ to further economic integration
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