NZ signs trade agreeement with UK
British Foreign Secretary William Hague got a sneak preview of the newly revamped Eden Park when he stepped on the pitch today to sign a trade agreement with Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.
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British Foreign Secretary William Hague got a sneak preview of the newly revamped Eden Park when he stepped on the pitch today to sign a trade agreement with Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.
Signed at the scene of the rugby World Cup final, the Host2Host agreement aimed to maximise business opportunities from that event, and the 2012 London Olympics.
Former All Black Michael Jones was at the signing as were New Zealand Trade and Enterprise group general manager Jack Stephens and Victoria Treadell, Britain's High Commissioner to New Zealand.
Ms Treadell today hosted a business roundtable breakfast at Eden Park, attended by Mr Hague and Mr McCully.
After the signing, Mr Hague stepped aside to record a 90-second video for his online blog -- he is posting updates about his visit to New Zealand on YouTube.
"The Host 2 Host agreement will bring together some of the expertise of New Zealand hosting the rugby World Cup and London hosting the Olympics in 2012," he said.
"There's a lot of work that we can do together and businesses can do together to share their expertise, particularly in the legacy of those games and events.
"I think there's an exciting new period coming up for our economic cooperation as well as our foreign policy cooperation."
Mr Hague and Defence Secretary Liam Fox arrived in Auckland yesterday for two days of bilateral talks, their first visit to New Zealand.
The Host2Host aimed to build on existing levels of cooperation between the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI).
It aimed to increase business activities between New Zealand and the UK through trade missions and promotions of business opportunities arising from sporting events.
NZPA
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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NZ signs trade agreeement with UK
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