TPP Update Tuesday 7 December 2pm

A first session on ‘horizontal issues’ was held on Monday afternoon. This focused on what a TPP agreement could do to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) trading in the nine Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) markets.

Horizontal issues include considerations such as how to assist the creation of efficient supply chains and how to create consistent and compatible regulations for ease of trade. This regulatory coherence is not about removing regulations but about making them more effective.

Presentations made at the horizontal issues session included those by Justin Hygate of the New Zealand Companies Office and by Kimberley Benson of Cange International of San Diego, USA, an export assistance company for SMEs.

At 3pm yesterday a media event was held for stakeholders and media facilitated by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Thirteen stakeholders each gave short presentations representing a wide range of views from across the spectrum on TPP and were questioned by about a dozen members of the media.

In the early evening, a reception hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise chairman Jon Mayson provided an opportunity for over 400 delegates and stakeholders to exchange views on issues in play in TPP negotiations.

Work continued this morning in the following working groups:

• goods

• intellectual property

• technical barriers to trade

• financial services

• customs

• business mobility

• labour

• legal and institutional

• cooperation and capacity building and

• horizontal issues.

In the horizontal issues working group, discussion began on competitiveness and global supply chains with a focus on ease of doing business.

The next media conference update will be held on Wednesday at 2pm.

ENDS

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