[asia-apec 1752] NZ and Hong Kong announce trade talks

[APEC Monitoring Group]

New Zealand Herald, Auckland

NZ, Hong Kong get ball rolling 

18.04.2001 By JOHN ARMSTRONG 
New Zealand and Hong Kong last night agreed to start formal negotiations on a free trade pact. 

But unlike last year's Singapore agreement, the Hong Kong negotiations will also cover environmental and labour standards to mute domestic criticism in New Zealand of such trade pacts. 

Along with industry groups, New Zealand trade unions will be consulted before the talks start. 

The announcement that formal negotiations would begin followed last night's meeting between Prime Minister Helen Clark and Hong Kong's chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa. 

A closer economic partnership agreement is expected to boost two-way trade in goods and services and increase bilateral investment. 

New Zealand exports to Hong Kong last year totalled $772 million and imports were worth $171 million.