MEDIA STATEMENT

4 October 2010

Speaker’s delegation concludes successful visit to Spain

The Speaker of the House, Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith and his delegation have concluded their visit to Spain. The President of the Spanish Congress in Madrid, Mr Jose Bono, highlighted New Zealand’s involvement in many activities in the global political sphere and the friendliness that characterises Kiwis.

In Mallorca, the delegation had an opportunity to see first hand New Zealand’s connections with with Spain. They visited San Llatzer Hospital where a New Zealand Company, Orion Health, provides the latest information technology services.

This was followed by meetings with New Zealand businesses which have a large presence in the Balearic Islands, as well as with Lorenzo Fluxa, President of Camper shoes, one of the sponsors of team New Zealand for the 2011-12 Volvo round-the-world race.

The delegation met with the President of the Balearic Government, Mr Francesc Antich Oliver, the Speaker of the Regional Parliament, Mrs Aina Raido i Fernando and the Mayoress of Palma de Mallorca Mrs Aina Calvo Sastre, where discussion centred around the Spanish political system from a Mallorcan perspective.

The Mallorcan Chamber of Commerce hosted a meeting with representatives from the nautical, tourism and meat sectors with a strong connection to New Zealand. The Speaker outlined New Zealand’s current economic reforms including the major tax changes of 1 October, 2010.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce responded favourably to the business and investment climate in New Zealand in comparison with Spain.

“The potential to broaden our economic and trade relationship with Mallorca, and Spain in general is significant, especially in the nautical, information technology and tourism sectors,” said Dr Smith.

In Barcelona, the delegation visited Casa Asia, an organisation sponsored by the Spanish Government, and tasked with achieving a grater involvement by Spain in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The Speaker’s delegation is currently in Turkey visiting Istanbul and Ankara.

ENDS

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