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New Zealand PM to discuss trade, security in Southeast Asian meetings

Xinhua, November 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Trade and security links will be high on the agenda when New Zealand Prime Minister John Key undertakes a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia next week.

Key said Monday he would lead a trade delegation to Vietnam from Nov. 14 to 17 and meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and other ministers in Hanoi.

"Vietnam is New Zealand's fastest-growing export market in South East Asia, with two-way trade now worth over 1 billion NZ dollars (653.4 million U.S. dollars) a year and we have committed to doubling that by 2020," Key said in a statement.

The visit would be an opportunity to explore new trade and investment opportunities to benefit both countries, said Key.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce would also travel to Hanoi with a New Zealand business delegation, with the focus on the aviation and education sectors.

Key would be in the Philippines from Nov. 17 to 20 to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) leaders meeting in Manila.

"The Asia-Pacific region is a significant driver of global economic growth with massive demand for New Zealand products -- around 70 percent of our total trade now takes place with APEC economies alone," Key said.

APEC would this year focus on inclusive and sustainable growth, looking in particular at the issues faced by small and medium enterprises, as well as trade in services.

Key would meet with other APEC political leaders and address the APEC CEO Summit, which would be attended by 700 chief executive officers from across the region.

Key would be in Malaysia from Nov. 20 to 22 to attend the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

The summit would focus on regional political, security and economic issues, as well as the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit commemorating the 40th anniversary of New Zealand's relationship with ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), New Zealand's fourth-largest trading partner. Endit