A New Zealand kiwi trader welcomed the entry into force of the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement on May 31, with the promise of increased exports to Great Britain.
New Zealand kiwi supplier Zespri said it hopes to increase its exports of premium kiwifruit to the UK once the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement comes into force on May 31.
Michael Fox, Zespri’s chief global public affairs officer, today (May 5) expressed his satisfaction with the bilateral trade agreement, which he described as a show of leadership by both governments and a major boost to the businesses and communities that support them. “A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this possible,” he said on LinkedIn.
Fox’s message came as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met his Australian and New Zealand counterparts in Downing Street today.
Free trade agreements between the UK and Australia and between the UK and New Zealand will come into force on May 31.
In a statement, the UK government said the two agreements will boost economic growth and innovation in the UK, Australia and New Zealand through the removal of tariffs on all exports of British goods, unprecedented open access to services, reducing red tape in digital trade and reviving lives. And work is easier for British professionals in Australia and New Zealand.
In the long term, bilateral trade with Australia is expected to increase by 53% and with New Zealand by 59%. The two game-changing free trade agreements are expected to enter into force in all three countries from midnight on May 31.
Sunak’s meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hepkins comes just weeks after the UK concluded negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a £9 trillion free trade area.
More articles
“Subtly charming bacon junkie. Infuriatingly humble beer trailblazer. Introvert. Evil reader. Hipster-friendly creator.”