New Zealand to host international wine trade meetings

For immediate release 5 November 2012

New Zealand to host international wine trade meetings

Two important international wine meetings will be held in Auckland this week - the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Wine Regulatory Forum (5-6 November) and the World Wine Trade Group meeting (7-9 November). These meetings will help to develop understanding and cooperation around the international trade in wine.

The two-day APEC Wine Regulatory Forum will bring together 67 wine regulators and industry representatives from 15 APEC economies to discuss wine trade risk assessment and management as well as coordinating approaches to wine certification. In addition to information sharing, participants will also be developing a set of recommendations for future APEC activities aimed at tackling unnecessary wine-related non-tariff barriers in the region.

The World Wine Trade Group meeting kicks off on Wednesday and will bring together government and industry representatives from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America, who share a mutual interest in improving the international trade in wine. Key topics under discussion include labelling and sustainability.

The meetings are being facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment and New Zealand Winegrowers.
New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan said "Our trade with the APEC economies and WWTG countries is worth over $750 million a year out of total exports of $1.2 billion. These meetings are about removing obstacles to trade and, as such, are important platforms for the growth of New Zealand wine exports over the next 10 years."

-ENDS-
Editor's notes:

APEC was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional economic blocs in other parts of the world. It fosters growth and prosperity by facilitating economic cooperation and expanding trade and investment throughout the region. The 15 APEC economies attending the Auckland meeting are New Zealand, Australia, People's Republic of China, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Peru, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, USA, Canada, and Chinese Taipei.

Since its formation in 1998, the WWTG has negotiated treaties on: mutual acceptance of wine making practices; on labelling; and an agreement on certification requirements. These agreements have facilitated trade, improved conditions for exporters and delivered significant cost reductions to the wine industry.

In a short period of time the WWTG has proven to be an important force in influencing regulation of the international wine trade. Beginning with a shared vision and a commitment to open international trade, participating countries have begun to reshape the regulatory environment in which the international wine business operates.

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