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National is focused on getting New Zealand out onto the world stage and securing more trade deals, because when New Zealand sells more to the world, Kiwi families are better off.
Every new market we open means more room for Kiwi businesses to grow and hire. Think about a kiwifruit exporter landing another overseas customer. That can mean more shifts for orchard workers here – and when those workers have more in their pockets, they spend it at the local café, the supermarket and the shops down the road. Those businesses grow and hire too.
One in four jobs in New Zealand are linked to trade. More goods being produced and going overseas means a more productive economy and higher wages for Kiwi workers. So, when businesses are sending their goods around the world, all Kiwis benefit.
To make these gains for New Zealand businesses, our government have been hustling on the world stage to secure deals with economies like India, the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement is a once-in-a-generation step forward for our small trading nation. By cutting or eliminating tariffs on 95 per cent of our exports to an economy which is set to become the third largest in the world, we are opening doors for businesses large and small across the country.
This FTA is delivering before it’s even come into force, because businesses and customers can see the quality of what we produce. Apple exports to India are up 63 per cent on last season, and in just two years India has climbed from our seventh-largest apple market to our fourth. Our kiwifruit growers alone expect around $125 million in tariff savings over five years.
This is what an ambitious, outward-looking New Zealand looks like – backing our exporters, opening doors in fast-growing markets, and making sure the benefits are felt in communities right across the country, including ours.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to New Zealand over the weekend – the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 40 years – is a real sign of the momentum in this relationship.
But the job isn’t finished. We’re ambitious for New Zealand’s trade and our sights are set on securing the next billion customers.
National has set a clear goal to continue to open doors for exporters around the world, and a re-elected National Government will do this by pursuing trade deals with seven new economies in the next five years.
From Brazil to Switzerland, and Nigeria to Bangladesh, these seven economies across the globe have a combined GDP of more than US$5 trillion.
This represents an outstanding opportunity for our exporters to secure a rising share of global trade and investment. We’ll also commence negotiations with a further six markets over the next decade, creating a market of 1 billion customers for our exporters.
Every extra sale offshore means more jobs and higher wages right here in New Zealand. We will cut red tape through paperless trade and digital customs, give businesses better tools to export, complete at least 23 trade missions over the next term and stay on track to double the value of exports by 2034.
Our opponents said an FTA with India was impossible, but our commitment to backing Kiwi businesses and growing the economy is unwavering. This same vigour is what we will bring to every trade negotiation to help Kiwis get ahead.
This is all part of National’s plan to build New Zealand’s future – where our exporters succeed on the world stage, creating jobs and lifting incomes at home. -Hon. Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand