Thailand / New Zealand closer economic partnership negotiations
22 Jun 2004
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This bulletin provides general information on New Zealand's objectives for the negotiation of a Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) agreement with Thailand.
If you wish to make contact with the negotiators, scroll to the bottom for details.
Background
In October 2003 at the APEC Leaders Meeting in Bangkok, the Prime Ministers of New Zealand and Thailand agreed to undertake a joint study on a bilateral CEP and then to enter negotiations. An initial information bulletin was released in December 2003, inviting submissions from New Zealand stakeholders.
The study investigating the benefits of a bilateral CEP was jointly published by Thailands Ministry of Commerce and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in April 2004. This study is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: www.mfat.govt.nz.
Timeframe for Negotiations
The first round of CEP negotiations in New Zealand in June will be followed by rounds scheduled for August, September and November in venues alternating between New Zealand and Thailand.
The target for conclusion of negotiations is late November 2004 when APEC leaders meet in Chile.
Conduct of Negotiations
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will lead New Zealands negotiating team. The core team will also include officials from the Treasury; the Immigration Service; Customs; the Department of Labour and the Ministries of Economic Development; Agriculture and Forestry; and Environment.
The Ministry of Commerce is leading Thailands negotiating team.
Engagement with Stakeholders
The New Zealand CEP negotiating team is committed to full engagement with key stakeholders including business, unions, local government, Maori and NGOs on all aspects of the CEP negotiations. Formal submissions on the CEP have been received from more than 60 exporters, organisations and individuals.
Ongoing public input into the CEP negotiations is welcome and engagement with interested parties will continue throughout the negotiating process. Regular updates on the negotiations will be posted on the MFAT website.
New Zealand Objectives for a CEP with Thailand
In negotiating a CEP with Thailand, New Zealands broad objectives are to:
New Zealands specific objectives for the different areas expected to be covered in the CEP are outlined below.
Trade in Goods
Comprehensive coverage of all products.
Reciprocal removal of tariffs and tariff quotas in as short a timeframe as possible, with an appropriate balance between New Zealands export and domestic interests.
Elimination of agricultural export subsidies.
Customs Procedures
Facilitation of trade, improved transparency and lower transaction costs.
Rules of Origin Robust and enforceable rules of origin that provide preferential access only for qualifying local product of the two parties. Rules should be simple, trade facilitating and outward looking, and minimise compliance costs for exporters.
Trade Remedies
Maintain New Zealands existing trade remedies regime based on our WTO rights and obligations in regard to anti-dumping, countervailing and global safeguard actions.
Avoid undermining the benefits of the CEP for New Zealand exporters.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
Uphold the principles and application of the WTO SPS Agreement and preserve New Zealands existing biosecurity regime.
Facilitate trade through enhanced bilateral cooperation.
Standards and Conformance
Reduce transaction costs and facilitate trade by establishing effective processes for addressing technical barriers to trade within the framework set by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.
Trade in Services
Enhanced access to the Thai services market for New Zealand exporters. Promote enhanced recognition of New Zealands qualifications and professional registration regimes in Thailand. Retain New Zealands right to provide, fund and regulate public services such as health and education, and to regulate in the public interest.
Investment
Encourage investment between Thailand and New Zealand, subject to appropriate regulatory controls.
Remove or reduce restrictions relating to New Zealand investments in Thailand.
Promote increased transparency around foreign investment policy and decision-making.
Include appropriate dispute settlement provisions consistent with the preservation of government regulatory prerogatives.
Competition Policy
Promote competition including through application of the APEC Principles on Competition and Regulatory Reform.
Promote cooperation on the development of competition policy and law, and on enforcement.
Intellectual Property
Provisions that are fully compliant with the WTO Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS).
Encourage cooperation and exchange of information. Flexibility to deal with issues related to the protection of traditional knowledge consistent with WTO obligations.
Sustainable Development Pursue provisions in the CEP consistent with the Governments Frameworks for Integrating Labour and Environment in Trade Agreements.
Establish a process for working towards shared sustainable development goals through cooperation.
E-commerce
Facilitate electronic commerce and promote paperless trading.
Government Procurement
Seek improvements in access for New Zealand suppliers into the Thai government procurement market.
Cooperation
Provisions for mutually beneficial cooperation on trade-related issues between New Zealand and Thailand.
Treaty of Waitangi
Inclusion of a clause which gives New Zealand governments scope to implement policies related to Maori, including in fulfilment of obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, without being constrained by other provisions in the CEP.
More info & Feedback
Contact details for further information on any aspect of the Thailand CEP negotiations or to offer feedback on issues you would like to see addressed, you can contact:
Rachel Fry - Chief Negotiator, CEPs Tel: 04 439 8376 Fax: 04 439 8522
Daniel Mellsop - Policy Advisor, CEPs Tel: 04 439 8345 Fax: 04 439 8522
Trade Negotiations Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade PB 18901, Wellington
Email: tnd@mfat.govt.nz |
