Tim Groser
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A New Zealand inspired Ministerial Declaration on carbon markets was launched by countries at the historic climate change conference in Paris today.

The declaration signals countries' support for carbon markets as a tool in the ambitious global response to climate change.  Already 18 countries have aligned with the declaration.

"New Zealand wants to ensure development of a strong and robust global carbon market that has environmental integrity," says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Climate Change Issues
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Minister for Climate Change Issues Tim Groser welcomes the conclusion of a new global agreement at the Paris conference on climate change.

“The agreement is a huge and historic step forward,” says Mr Groser.

“This is the first truly global agreement on climate change. All countries are committing to take ambitious action.

Tim Groser Climate Change Issues
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Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed today’s announcement that the New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement would enter into force on 20 December 2015.

“I’m very pleased to see this high quality agreement enter into force,” Mr Groser says.

“This FTA will help New Zealand exporters grow their business in the world’s thirteenth largest economy.

“Under this FTA, approximately 98 percent of tariffs on New Zealand’s current exports to Korea will be progressively eliminated.

Tim Groser Trade
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New Zealand will ratify the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser announced today.

“We see ratification of the amendment as critical for maintaining momentum in global climate change negotiations,” says Mr Groser.

The Doha Amendment created a second commitment period from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2020. It needs to be ratified by three-quarters of Kyoto Protocol parties to enter into force.

Tim Groser Climate Change Issues
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The Government has begun its review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) to assess its operation and effectiveness to 2020 and beyond, Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser announced today.

“In July we set an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2020,” said Mr Groser.

“This review will look at how the NZ ETS may have to evolve to support New Zealand in meeting this new target.

Tim Groser Climate Change Issues
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Trade Minister Tim Groser today released new statistics showing spectacular growth in New Zealand’s exports to Chinese Taipei since the Economic Cooperation Agreement between New Zealand and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu (ANZTEC) entered into force in December 2013.

“New Zealand exporters are reaping the benefits of preferential tariff access to Chinese Taipei,” says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the announcement today by President Obama, under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, as a crucial step towards signature of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“Specifically, we are now on a 90 day count down, after which the US will be able to sign the agreement. Soon after this period expires, we expect partner countries will meet to sign the text,” says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser today welcomed the release of the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

On behalf of the twelve members of the TPP and in its capacity as Depositary of the Agreement, New Zealand released the text of TPP.

“New Zealand supported the release of the text as soon as the technical work to finalise the Agreement was completed. 

“I am pleased that this has happened and that the public will be able to thoroughly review the full text of the TPP well before it will be signed by governments.

Tim Groser Trade
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Minister of Trade Tim Groser has announced that, on behalf of the twelve members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), New Zealand has released the text of the results of TPP negotiations in its capacity as Depositary of the Agreement.

The text is currently available on the international treaty depository section of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website, at www.mfat.govt.nz/tppdepositary.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser today welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Key and European Union leaders that both sides will embark on the next steps to enable negotiations on an EU-New Zealand FTA to begin as soon as possible.

“New Zealand businesses have already indicated that they would see great value in an FTA with the EU,” says Mr Groser.

“With a total GDP of more than NZ$20 trillion, and a sophisticated consumer market with high levels of R&D and investment, the EU is an attractive prospect.

Tim Groser Trade
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The New Zealand Government has officially opened its diplomatic Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Mission was opened by New Zealand’s Trade Minister, Tim Groser, who is visiting Indonesia this week.

“The opening of a New Zealand Mission is a significant demonstration of our commitment to the region. It comes at an important time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealand’s formal relationship with ASEAN, and also the year that ASEAN will launch the ASEAN Community,” said Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade and Climate Change Issues Minister Tim Groser departs today to Indonesia and Hong Kong for meetings with key ministerial counterparts.

“Indonesia is an important political, trade and economic partner for New Zealand,” says Mr Groser.

“My visit will be an opportunity to exchange views on a range of trade-related issues including regional economic developments, the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and ongoing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiation.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser welcomes the release of further information on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“These fact sheets demonstrate what a comprehensive agreement TPP is, and that the benefits of the agreement go beyond reductions in tariffs,” says Mr Groser.

The first fact sheets issued today cover the following areas:

Tim Groser Trade
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The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement will deliver significant benefits to New Zealand and build on the hard-won gains from previous free trade agreements, Trade Minister Tim Groser says.

“This comprehensive agreement offers much better access for New Zealand goods and services in 11 important markets across Asia and the Pacific.

“TPP breaks new ground for us. It is our first FTA relationship with the United States – the world’s biggest consumer market – as well as with Japan, Canada, Mexico and Peru.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser will travel to Australia and the United States important talks on international climate change and regional trade agreements.

Mr Groser will first meet Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt in Melbourne today to discuss domestic climate policies following Malcolm Turnbull’s appointment as Prime Minister and his Cabinet re-shuffle.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the passing of the Tariff (Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea) Amendment Bill in Parliament today.

“Under this FTA, approximately 98 percent of tariffs on New Zealand’s current exports to Korea will be progressively eliminated,” says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Strengthening key market relationships and diversifying into new markets is a major theme for the update of the Export Markets workstream of the Business Growth Agenda released by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser in Auckland this morning.

Tim Groser Steven Joyce Trade Economic Development
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The Minister of Trade Tim Groser says the signing of an open skies air services agreement with Qatar will provide improved air links between our two countries and the wider countries of the Gulf.

The Minister signed the agreement for New Zealand today during his visit to Qatar.

“Qatar is at the centre of one the world’s most dynamic regions for international air travel.  The opportunity now exists for Qatar Airways to serve New Zealand and this would be a welcome development,” says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser announced today that the members of the World Trade Organisation have appointed New Zealand’s WTO Ambassador, Vangelis Vitalis, as the new Chair of the WTO Doha Round agriculture negotiations.

Mr Vitalis was formally elected Chair at a meeting of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture held in Geneva today.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser departs Saturday 5 September for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, with meetings planned to strengthen the wider trade and economic relationship in both countries and to promote the finalisation of a free trade agreement with the Gulf states.

A key feature of the visit will see Mr Groser co-chair the fifth meeting of the UAE-New Zealand Joint Economic Commission in Abu Dhabi alongside Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy.

Tim Groser Trade
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Trade Minister Tim Groser travels to Malaysia tonight for a series of meetings including the third Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting, the annual East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting, and ASEAN Economic Ministers’ consultations with New Zealand and Australia.

“The Kuala Lumpur meetings are an important point of engagement for New Zealand with ASEAN and the wider Asian region,” says Mr Groser.

Tim Groser Trade
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Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser have welcomed New Zealand’s accession to the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA), which came into effect today.

“Kiwi companies now have more opportunities to do business with governments internationally than ever before”, says Mr Joyce.

Tim Groser Steven Joyce Trade Economic Development
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Trade Minister Tim Groser is disappointed that the TPP negotiations were unable to reach a conclusion today, but TPP ministers collectively pledged to meet again as soon as possible to finalise the deal.

"Good progress was made this week, but a number of challenging issues remain, including intellectual property and market access for dairy products", Mr Groser said.

“We will continue to work toward a successful conclusion. This is about getting the best possible deal for New Zealand, not a deal at any cost.”

Tim Groser Trade