NZ-China Council executive director Stephen Jacobi Photo: RNZ
The government is being urged to focus on improving its communications and relationships with existing and potential trade partners, rather than chasing after new free trade agreements (FTAs), which will take time to develop.
International Business Forum executive director Stephen Jacobi said the one wish of the membership is for Trade Minister Todd McLay to focus on upgrading and expanding existing agreements, especially the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and fully implement other existing FTAs.
Jacobi said a recent decline in the value of New Zealand exports was a concern, which needed attention.
"If the incoming government wants big wins, it should focus more on digital and paperless trade - removing the costly and cumbersome paper documentation which accompanies goods as they move around the world," he said, adding New Zealand was lagging behind other trade partners when it came to the adoption of such digital services.
"Despite the obvious savings to be had in time and cost, little has been done to address this opportunity. MBIE in particular has been completely missing in action."
He said there was also value in building closer relationships with the largest trading partners, Australia and China, where there were some sensitive issues to navigation. This was in addition to nurturing relationships with other existing and potential partners.
Jacobi said former trade minister Damien O'Connor had left a strong legacy on which to build, though the times were less favourable for McLay to navigate.
He said McLay will need the suppport of government's trade agencies, which should continue to be well-resourced.