New Zealand to sign Indo-Pacific economic framework agreements

Minister McClay will take part in the full IPEF Ministerial meeting, which includes discussions on a comprehensive Indo-Pacific trade agreement. He will also participate in the formal signing of the overarching IPEF Agreement and the Fair Economy Agreement. These agreements aim to enhance anti-corruption efforts and labour standards across the region, alongside promoting increased international tax cooperation to foster a secure and transparent investment climate in the Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, Minister Watts will attend a Clean Economies Investors forum, which will include a signing ceremony for the Clean Economy Agreement. This agreement seeks to bolster cooperation on climate goals by mobilising investment in technologies and solutions for energy, industry, and transport. Watts will be joined by a select group of New Zealand clean tech companies invited to pitch to the region’s top investors at the inaugural Clean Economy Investor Forum.

“The third IPEF pillar focuses on increasing trade efficiency. The negotiation of this pillar presents further opportunities for New Zealand to work with partners to reduce non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and drive greater certainty for exporters. Working with IPEF countries to increase investment flows and trade will help New Zealand meet the aspirational target of doubling exports by value in 10 years,” said McClay.

“The IPEF agreements and the investor forum reflect a growing consensus that technology, trade, and investment flows need to feature explicitly in a concerted regional response to climate change,” said Watts.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DP)