New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff will lead a major trade mission to Shanghai and Beijing in November to coincide with the launch of the first direct air service between New Zealand and China.

 

"Air New Zealand will be launching a direct air service to Shanghai on November 6 and around 60 New Zealand business people will join me on that flight," said Goff Sunday.

 

He said China is New Zealand's fourth largest trading partner and this mission offers a unique opportunity to get a first hand understanding of what is involved in leveraging the full potential of dynamic market.

 

Two-way trade between the two countries is currently worth over 6 billion NZ dollars (US$3.7 billion) a year and is set to grow even more once the Free Trade Agreement the two sides are working toward is complete.

 

Goff said the mission will build the knowledge and understanding New Zealand businesses have of the Chinese market and their connections with it.

 

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise will host a seminar in Shanghai where in-market experts will provide mission delegates practical understanding of the way in which they should approach the Chinese market and some of the challenges they may face.

 

Mission members will also take the opportunity to have business contacts both in Shanghai and Beijing and to get first hand exposure to New Zealand companies who are doing business in China and to Chinese importers of New Zealand products.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2006)