November 17, 2020
Maori business keen on Asian trade pact
The head of Māori trade group Te Taumata says the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is timely given the need to keep economic activity going in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 15-country pact was signed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at a virtual ASEAN summit on the weekend.
Chris Karamea-Insley says consultation hui held around the country through the year by Te Taumata has identified strong support from Māori asset managers and business leaders for free trade and an increase in export opportunities.
He says the Asia and South East Asia have been handling the pandemic more effectively than traditional markets in Europe and North America.
"So here we have this trade deal has been signed that brings together all those countries in the Asian region that have responded well to COVID and it the biggest trade deal in the world. Our whānau tell us jobs matter and trade matters. We have to support, and we do, the signing of this trade deal," Mr Karamea Insley says.
He says there is at least another two years of work to implement the agreement.
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