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The LANZBC has had a busy end to June with the Building the Southern Link conference on 25 June and two supporting events on 27 June. We wanted to provide our readers with an account of all three events, hence the slight delay in publishing our newsletter this month.
The Southern Link conference saw 150 businesspeople, government officials and thought leaders from New Zealand, China, Argentina and Chile gather in Auckland to discuss the plausibility of making New Zealand a major and natural connection between Asia and Latin America. Engagement levels were high on the day, with #SouthernLink trending in the top five Twitter hashtags.
Further events with two of the international speakers flown in for the Southern Link conference provided LANZBC members with an opportunity to meet and connect with leaders from APEC's Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and the Argentine Council of International Relations (CARI).
Earlier in the month we had a fantastic Latin America focused networking event at Fieldays. It was great to catch up with so many of our members and also meet some new friends.
Thank you to all the LANZBC members who continue to support our events with your patronage. We appreciate your time and continued support.
All the best,
Simon
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Special thanks to our LANZBC Platinum Sponsors
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LANZBC WELCOMES GHD AS NEW MEMBER
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GHD is one of the world's leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.
GHD provide engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to private and public sector clients. READ MORE
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EXCITING TIMES FOR NZ & LATIN AMERICA AGRIBUSINESS
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An uncharacteristically sunny afternoon at Fieldays saw a fantastic turnout for the LANZBC and NZTE’s Latin America networking event on 13 June. Around 60 guests enjoyed canapes and refreshments in the newly located International Business Centre, including His Excellency Fausto Lopez Crozet, the Argentinean Ambassador, Sir William Gallagher and MPs Nathan Guy and Todd Muller.
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Simon O’Connor, President of the LANZBC, welcomed guests from Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia, commenting on the growing level of interest in Latin America in the Agritech sector and the increasing opportunities available in the region. READ MORE
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THE SOUTHERN LINK: AN IDEA ON THE MOVE
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Making New Zealand a major and natural connection between China and South America is an idea whose time has come.
This was a key theme at the ‘Building the Southern Link’ conference, which brought together 150 businesspeople, government officials and thought leaders from New Zealand, China, Argentina and Chile on 25 June.
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The conference was co-hosted by New Zealand China Council, Latin America New Zealand Business Council, Consejo Argentino Para Las Relaciones Internacionales, Fudan University and Fundacion Chilena del Pacifico.
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The Southern Link will involve routing passengers and multi-modal freight between China and South America via New Zealand, providing the shortest air route between the continents and facilitating a more seamless and convenient flow of goods and people compared to alternative hubs in the Northern Hemisphere.
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Minister of Trade and Export Growth David Parker opened the conference with the statement that ‘New Zealand’s relationships with South America are linked to our relationships with Asia’ and noting ‘conditions are right’ to expand cooperation between Asia and South America, using New Zealand’s geographic position.
READ MORE (Source: NZ China Council)
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China Global Television Network delivered an excellent report on the Southern Link conference and concept.
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A full account of the Southern Link conference, including photographs, media coverage and links to the full text of remarks made by Sir Don McKinnon, the Hon. David Parker and the Hon. Tim Groser, are available on the NZ China Council website.
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CHILE'S APEC YEAR PRIORITISING SUSTAINABILITY, STARTUPS AND SME
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LANZBC members were treated to another excellent event on Thursday 27 June, with Loreto Leyton, the Executive Director of ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) 2019 giving an overview of Chile’s plans for APEC 2019 and how these goals could create new opportunities for exporters.
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The event was hosted by the three Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence and the LANZBC over breakfast at Auckland’s Northern Club, with Loreto providing an informative insight into Chile’s areas of focus for its APEC year.
Technology, regulatory issues and SMEs were identified as the three main issues across the economies of APEC countries. Chile was keen to recognise the importance of SMEs and Entrepreneurs on the global economy by hosting an SME Summit as part of its APEC year. READ MORE
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Copies of Loreto Leyton's presentation, and further information on the APEC Start Up Challenge and APEC SME Summit are available on the LANZBC website here.
To receive email updates about the APEC SME Summit, click here and enter your email address at the bottom of the page.
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ARGENTINA IN ASIA: SCOPE FOR DIVERSIFICATION
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Thursday 27 June also saw Ambassador Eduardo Sadous join members of the LANZBC and NZIIA for a presentation on the fruitful relationship between Argentina and the various nations of Asia.
A small gathering at the University of Auckland learnt that China was now Argentina’s 2nd largest trading partner, after Brazil and ahead of the US, and Chinese investment was present in almost all sectors in Argentina. The Chinese market represented US$3 billion of exports to the country, with Vietnam at US$2 billion. READ MORE
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Don't forget to follow our LinkedIn page (click here) to ensure you keep up to date with LANZBC news, events and opportunities.
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WE CAN HELP PROMOTE YOUR EVENT
If you're a member running an event be sure to let us know! CONTACT US
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SAVE THE DATE: MINISTER PARKER LUNCHEON, 14 AUGUST
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The Board of the LANZBC are very pleased to confirm that the Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade & Export Growth, will be speaking to LANZBC members and friends at a luncheon on Wednesday 14 August in Auckland.
Please save the date, we'll be sending out more information very shortly.
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LIC MIGRATES TO NZX'S MAIN BOARD
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Herd improvement and agritech co-operative LIC has moved to the Main Board of the NZX (NZSX) with effect from 1 July, transferring from the Alternative Board. This comes as NZX announced it will move to a single equities board from July 1 and close the NZAX and NXT.
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Of the companies migrating, LIC is the largest by market capitalisation, at approximately $109 million. There are around 14 agritech companies featured on the NZX Main Board and only one other farmer-owned co-operative (Fonterra).
LIC chief executive Wayne McNee says, “We’re excited to join the NZSX and be featured alongside some of New Zealand’s best-known brands and companies.
“The presence of LIC on the Main Board is an opportunity to further strengthen the profile of the primary sector on the NZSX.” READ MORE
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NEW ZEALAND / LATIN AMERICA DEVELOPMENTS
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FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CHILE AND ATTEND PACIFIC ALLIANCE SUMMIT IN PERU
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Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is travelling to Chile and Peru this week as part of New Zealand’s diplomatic effort to strengthen ties with the Pacific Alliance countries.
“New Zealand’s attendance at the Pacific Alliance Summit will further reinforce our reputation as a reliable and pragmatic partner in the wider Latin American region,” Mr Peters said.
While in Santiago, Chile, Mr Peters will meet with President Sebastián Piñera as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro Ribera, and Minister of Agriculture, Antonio Walker. READ MORE
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NEW ZEALAND CONTRIBUTES FURTHER HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO THE VENEZUELA CRISIS
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Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced earlier this week that New Zealand is making a further $1.5 million humanitarian contribution to assist Venezuelan residents and those who have fled to neighbouring countries.
“What is happening in Venezuela is a tragedy. Venezuela has gone from one of the most prosperous to one of the poorest countries in the region. The economy has been run into the ground by politicians that have deprived people of their democratic and human rights. It is a serious failure of leadership,” Mr Peters said. READ MORE
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NEW AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA ANNOUNCED
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The LANZBC congratulates diplomat Carl Worker on his appointment as Ambassador to Argentina. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced the appointment on 20 June.
“Currently Consul-General in Hong Kong, Carl Worker has a long and distinguished diplomatic career. He has served as Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Ambassador to China and Ambassador to Argentina – to which he is now returning – and in Washington DC and Suva,” Mr Peters said. READ MORE
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NEW ZEALAND 'TICKS ALL BOXES' FOR PACIFIC TRADE AND TRAVEL HUB
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At the Building the Southern Link Conference, Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker said New Zealand's geographic location - once considered a disadvantage - was now a development opportunity.
"What do we need this southern hub to do? At the simplest level, the hub should facilitate seamless and convenient exchange of goods and travel for people between the eastern and western sides of the Pacific Ocean," he said. READ MORE
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UNDERSTANDING AND ASSESSING THE COLOMBIAN COFFEE MARKET
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For the last decade, Colombia has been attracting a large amount of foreign investment and is now recognised as one of the most sustainably growing economies of Latin America. Colombian coffee is an important and internationally recognised product which, combined with European demand, high-quality coffee beans, and the new post-FARC era, is all providing a fascinating context for investment opportunities in the Colombian coffee business. READ MORE
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BRAZIL'S RECENT LAW CHANGES AIM TO BOOST FOREIGN INVESTMENT
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On 30 April 2019 Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro signed a provisory law amending legislation in order to unlock the bureaucracy faced by startups. This law is a campaign promise and one of the main incentives to enhance entrepreneurship in Brazil.
The Federal Government also recently created a new type of company, named the ESC (‘Empresa simples de crédito,’ or Simple Company of credit). Like the new provisory law, this company structure is also aimed at increasing foreign investment. In this article, Biz Latin Hub explores the benefits of these recent legislative changes in regard to business in Brazil. READ MORE
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COLOMBIA'S LEGAL ENTITIES FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS: WHERE TO START
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Colombia’s rising fame in Latin America and rest of world as an emerging power has investors excited. The myriad opportunities waiting for investors and businesses in the country have many looking at a Colombian expansion.
But where to start? Biz Latin Hub explores the benefits of two legal entities Colombia offers for foreign businesses setting up in the country. These are the Simplified Share Company (SAS) and Foreign Branch Office. READ MORE
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ONE MORE STEP FOR JAGUARES IN FAIRYTALE SUPER RUGBY RUN
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Argentina’s Jaguares still have one more imposing step to take on their fairytale run through the Super Rugby play-offs but they head to Christchurch for the final with at least one of their season goals completed.
The might of the nine-time champions Crusaders stand in their path to a maiden title on Saturday but the 31 000 crowd that cheered them to victory in their quarter-final against the Brumbies was a breakthrough in itself. READ MORE
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NZ TANGO FESTIVAL IN WELLINGTON 3-9 JULY
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