BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
16/11/2010
FTA talks launched with Russia, Belarus & Kazakhstan
Negotiations on a free trade agreement between New Zealand and Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan will start early next year, Prime Minister John Key announced at the APEC Summit in Japan today.
"Free trade deals offer real benefits for jobs and economic growth in New Zelaand and I am very pleased to be able to announce the start of negotiations on this FTA," says Mr Key.
"The Government has an ambitious trade agenda and trade has been identified as one of our six drivers of economic growth.
"Russia is also one of the world's emerging powerhouses, with Brazil, India and China. It is the 12th largest economy in the world and the world's fifth-largest food importer, with food imports reaching US$30 billion in 2008.
"An FTA with Russia would give us an improved position in that market. New Zealand's exports to Russia grew 267 per cent from NZ$51 million to NZ$187.1 million between 2000 and 2009. There is further strong growth potential, not only in food and beverage exports but also in agritech, specialised manufacturing and clothing."
Mr Key says Russia is an important member of APEC, and will host the summit 2012.
"Taking the initiative to have this FTA will position New Zealand well. It will further integrate us regionally, and will also complement our existing FTAs and those under negotiation such as the Trans Pacific Partnership.
"New Zealand is highly experienced in international trade negotiations, with a history of high quality FTAs, and is therefore an attractive partner for Russia," says Mr Key.
Today's announcement followed a meeting between Trade Minister Tim Groser and Russian Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina in Japan last week.
Attached: Joint ministerial statement by four participating FTA countries on commencement of FTA negotiations.
Note: A roadmap for the FTA negotiations, endorsed by New Zealand and Russian Trade Ministers, will be posted from Monday 15 November on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, mfat.govt.nz
Questions & Answers
Why is New Zealand interested in an FTA with Russia?
Russia's population is 142 million and Moscow is Europe's largest city. Russia offers a wealth of opportunities for New Zealand exporters. Its food imports exceeded US$30 billion in 2008, making Russia the world's fifth-largest food import market. There is a sizeable potential market for New Zealand's high-quality products in Russia.
Russia is the 12th largest economy in the world. From 1999 until the onset of the global financial crisis, Russia's growth was similar to India's and China's.
An FTA with Russia could present a unique opportunity for New Zealand to future-proof its relationship with an emerging economic powerhouse. While New Zealand's current trade with Russia is relatively modest, the relationship is one which has strong potential, given time.
Why is Russia interested in an FTA with New Zealand?
Russia is increasingly looking to the dynamic Asia-Pacific region as a driver for future economic growth. New Zealand is an attractive partner for Russia as it is strategically well placed in the Asia-Pacific region due to its track record in securing high quality and comprehensive FTAs. New Zealand and Russia also have essentially complementary economies. As a high quality and reliable source of food production, New Zealand offers real value to the developing Russian market.
What is the status of New Zealand's trade with Russia?
New Zealand's exports to Russia grew 267% from NZ$51.0 million in 2000 to NZ$187.1 million in 2009. The average annual growth rate over this period was 23.1%.
Does Russia currently impose high tariffs on products of interest to New Zealand?
In 2008, between 10.9% and 27.3% of Russia's imports from New Zealand are estimated to have entered duty free. The remaining trade is estimated to have paid duty of between NZ$28.45 million and NZ$39.66 million.
What are the particular areas of opportunity for New Zealand firms in the Russian market?
New Zealand's exports to Russia, while increasing over the last decade, have not kept pace with the rapid increase in overall Russian imports, particularly of agricultural products (up around 500% since 2000). With a huge population and a growing sector of wealthy consumers, there is high demand for luxury goods, in particular for high-quality food and beverage products. This presents an excellent opportunity for New Zealand firms.
Russia is also looking to further develop its agricultural sector. This presents opportunities for New Zealand through exports of our agriculture systems, and through exports of agricultural, forestry and construction equipment.
There are many other sectors where significant opportunity in Russia is well matched by capability in New Zealand. These include clothing and specialised manufacturing. A number of services areas, including ICT, education and tourism also offer potential for New Zealand services.
Why is New Zealand interested in an FTA with Kazakhstan and Belarus?
Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are in the process of forming a Customs Union, with a unified tariff and customs territory. By 2012, the countries aim to create a single economic space. The three countries therefore take joint decisions on matters such as free trade agreements.
Kazakhstan and Belarus have a combined population of 25 million and GDP of just under US$200 billion in 2008. Both enjoyed average growth approaching 10 per cent in recent years. An FTA would present scope to grow New Zealand's exports from their current low levels (NZ$1.5 million combined in 2008).
What has been the process that has led to this stage in the relationship with Russia?
Positive indications of interest were received from Russia following informal contacts between Trade Minister Tim Groser and Russian officials late last year, followed by discussions between Foreign Ministers McCully and Lavrov.
Further political-level discussions were then held between Russia and its Customs Union partners Kazakhstan and Belarus on the idea of a trade agreement with New Zealand. Following these positive discussions, the parties decided to start scoping discussions towards a formal commencement of FTA negotiations.
What happened during these scoping discussions?
The decision by Russia and its Customs Union partners to commence these discussions is a very significant step. It clearly indicated a political readiness to proceed towards a formal trade agreement with New Zealand, subject to a satisfactory outcome of the scoping phase.
During this phase, the Customs Union countries and New Zealand set out the overall scope and ambition for an FTA and agreed on the steps for initiating formal negotiations.
What are the next steps?
MFAT officials will in the next few days call for public submissions on a potential FTA. These will be taken into account in formulating New Zealand's negotiating position. Formal negotiations are expected to commence in early 2011.
Source:
http://presszoom.com/story_161901.html
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