Free trade top agenda for APEC in New Zealand

By ( Xinhua )

Updated: 2013-10-04

WELLINGTON - The New Zealand hosts of the first APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Conference) business leaders meeting next year on Friday laid out their key topics for trade and economy in the region.

"It is an honor for New Zealand to have been invited by China, the incoming APEC chair, to host the first ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) meeting for 2014," Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly said in a statement.

Business New Zealand would be the host organization working with the three New Zealand members of ABAC New Zealand.

"ABAC's recommendations to APEC Economic Leaders help keep APEC 's agenda for growth and jobs on track," ABAC New Zealand member Tony Nowell said in the statement.

"Key priorities for New Zealand include freer trade for goods and services, investment, supply chain security, financial issues, women's entrepreneurship and infrastructure. All these matters will be on the agenda in Auckland."

A senior delegation from China was expected to attend the meeting, as part of preparation for China's APEC year and the APEC CEO Summit that would be held in Beijing in October 2014.

The APEC Business Advisory Council meeting will be held in Auckland on February 11 to 14.