Kiwi minister to visit Philippines, Vietnam to mark 40 years of ties with ASEAN

New Zealand Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce is to travel to the Philippines and Vietnam next week to mark the 40th anniversary of New Zealand' s relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN).

"The ASEAN region is our fourth largest trading partner. As one of our closest major markets, it is crucial that New Zealand builds strong relations right across the region," Joyce said in a statement Friday.

"Emerging economies like the Philippines and Vietnam offer incredible potential for New Zealand businesses."

Joyce would meet with New Zealand businesses in the Philippines, and host an awards event to mark the anniversary of New Zealand's partnership with the ASEAN region.

"More than 40,000 Filipinos call New Zealand home. These growing personal links are having a dramatic effect on all aspects of our two countries' relationship. There are big increases in student numbers and tourists coming to New Zealand from the Philippines, and there are an increasing number of Kiwi businesses entering the Philippines market," he said.

In Vietnam, he would meet political leaders to discuss trade, investment and education connections.

"This is an important year for New Zealand and Vietnam. Alongside our 40th anniversary with ASEAN, we are also celebrating 40 years of relations with Vietnam," said Joyce.

Joyce and Education Minister Pham Vu Luan would host a second education forum in Hanoi following Luan's visit to Auckland University of Technology in March.

More than 2,000 Vietnamese students studied in New Zealand in 2014, and several New Zealand universities partnered with local universities in Vietnam, he said. Endi