American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand P.O
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American Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand P.O. Box 106-002, Auckland. Tel: 649 309 9140; Fax: 649 309 1090 Email: [email protected] Volume 12 Issue 4 May 2013 5th US-NZ Pacific Partnership Forum 19-21 May, Washington, DC. Index TPP Opportunities 2 The “highly successful” 2013 US-NZ Pacific Partnership Forum was recently held in Washington DC, with more TPP Negotiations strong 2 momentum than 300 registered attendees. Last Chance to enter 2 AmCham Awards Among the highlights were: US Lawmakers introduce 3 apps privacy bill An interview with former World Bank President Robert Zoellick by Bloomberg TV correspondence Peter Patents bill amended 3 Cook; Survey ranks Cyber 3 A discussion with six former USTRs – Charlene Barshefsky; William Brock; Carla Hills; Michael Kantor; threats #1 issue NZICT welcomes Govt 3 Susan Schwab; Clayton Yeutter; procurement guidelines Remarks by U.S. Deputy Sec. of State Burns, Under Sec. of State Hormats, NZ Foreign Min. McCully, Kiwis World Robotic 3 and NZ Trade Min. Groser; Champos for 5th time Worlds top travel editors 3 High-level panel on TPP and business - Gabriel Makhlouf (NZ Treasury), Cal Cohen (ECAT), Simon in Auckland in 2014 Power (Westpac), Johanna Shelton (Google), John Wilson (Fonterra), Tami Overby (US Chamber); California Design 1930-65 4 High-level panel on security / foreign policy – Edgard Kagan (State Dept), John Allan (MFAT), Lt Gen on show Rhys Jones (NZ Defence), Stan Roth (Boeing), Randy Schriver (Armitage Intl), Vikram Singh (US Dept of SUCCESSES 4 Defence), Carolyn Tremain (Customs NZ). TRADE & INVESTMENT 4 Remarks by Co - Chairs of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus: Congressman Kevin Commercial News USA 4 Trade leads for import/ 4 Brady (R–Texas) & Congressman Rick Larsen (D–Wash.) export Sessions on security, Christchurch, creativity & innovation, food security, sustainability, and life sciences International Buyer 4 Program with top kiwi panellists. From World Wide Access 4 20 Future Leaders from the US and NZ attended and were fully integrated into the programme. TRAVEL NEWS 5 5 Click here for NZInc’s coverage of speeches, panels, twitter feeds and photos US Security Service Update Wellington showcased in Washington Air NZ Boeing 787-9 5 Program Delegates who travelled on the NZ Airforce plane to DC also took part in “NZ Week” in Los Angeles including a 2013/14 Pebble Beach 6 visit and event at Paramount Pictures, a business seminar on Doing business in LA and a tour of the Port of Los Package Angeles. MEMBER NEWS 6 LA Serves as Hub for New Zealand Entrepreneurs to Enter U.S. Market New Members 6 People on the move 6 Larta's CSO, Carlos Gutierrez, has played an integral role in the development of many Larta Global Bridge™ FOR YOUR DIARY 7 programs designed to bridge international entrepreneurs to the U.S. market. He shared his expertise in this field US NZ CONNECTIONS 7 during the New Zealand Week in Los Angeles Business Seminar, aimed at exploring ways in which New Zealand businesses can establish themselves and thrive in the U.S. market. www.larta.org American Club 4th July 7 INNOVEST Competing on 7 AmCham would like to recognise the great work of Ambassador Mike Moore, Hon Peter Watson, Bill Maroni the global stage and Consul General Leon Grice in arranging these events. Do you have a 8 sustainable business? Research shows US remains critical trade partner - NZUS Council Worlds Oldest Hip-op 8 Group to tour USA In the lead-up to a high-level meeting of political, business and community leaders from New Zealand and the United States, research released today highlights the strong economic and trade bonds between the two 5 new 25 year Members 9 countries. Read more .. AmCham Role of Honour 9 Can you Mentor a High 9 Joint Statement: U.S.-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue School Student Stamford Plaza Preferred 9 US Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns opened the 2013 US-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue with New Corporate Rates for Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade John Allen; Chief of Defence Force Rhys Jones; Secretary to AmCham Members the Treasury Gabriel Makhlouf; and Deputy Secretary of Defence Bede Corry today at the US Department of TAX ISSUES 10 State as part of our countries’ ongoing bilateral discussions. US Income Tax 10 Implications on Real (Continued on page 2) Property Transactions Volume 1112 Issue 84 Page 2 (Continued from page 1) Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James P. Zumwalt led the discussion and welcomed the productive efforts of the United States and New Zealand to jointly tackle key challenges. The two sides discussed issues of global concern and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region. They reiterated their commitment to continuing to strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and New Zealand. [read the statement] TPP: Opportunities for further engagement and input The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is planning to hold a further series of TPP stakeholder sessions in major centres from June to August. Stakeholders will be able to hear a first-hand update from New Zealand’s Chief Negotiator on progress in key areas of the negotiation as we work towards conclusion of an agreement this year. Officials also plan to hold further dedicated meetings on intellectual property and health- related issues in the negotiation. Dates and venues have yet to be confirmed but we would welcome expressions of interest to attend a stakeholder session or requests for an individual meeting to [email protected] . Please note your specific area of interest in your email to the team. Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations Maintain Strong Momentum - From USTR During the 17th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which ended today, officials reported that they continued to forge ahead toward their goal of concluding an ambitious 21st-century agreement in the timeframe envisioned by President Obama and the Leaders of the other ten TPP countries. Through the TPP, the United States is seeking to advance a next-generation trade and investment agreement that will enhance U.S. competitiveness, expand U.S. trade in the Asia-Pacific region, and support the creation and retention of U.S. jobs, while at the same time promoting labor rights, environmental protection, and transparency. In their work during this 10-day round, negotiators were guided by the plan of action agreed by the trade ministers from the United States and the other TPP countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam – when they met last month on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Surabaya, Indonesia. In line with that plan and the direction of ministers to find pragmatic solutions to outstanding issues, the negotiators made progress across the agreement. The negotiating groups covering services, government procurement, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, trade remedies, labor, and dispute settlement moved their work forward significantly. The TPP countries also successfully advanced work on the other legal texts, including technical barriers to trade, e-commerce, rules of origin, investment, financial services, intellectual property, transparency, competition, environment and other issues. On the more challenging issues of intellectual property, competition, and environment, negotiators had productive discussions and agreed on next steps to continue their work. In addition, negotiators made further progress on building the comprehensive packages that will provide access to their respective markets for industrial, agricultural and textile and apparel products, services and investment, and government procurement. They moved forward in constructing tariff packages and rules of origin, reflecting input from stakeholders on how best to promote trade and regional integration that would benefit the companies and workers in the United States and the other TPP countries. The 11 TPP countries discussed plans for smoothly integrating Japan into the TPP negotiations. Japan will join the negotiations following the successful completion of current members’ respective domestic processes. With Japan’s entry, TPP countries will account for nearly 40 percent of global GDP and about one-third of all world trade. Ministers from the TPP countries will continue to engage regularly over the coming months to guide the negotiators’ work, find solutions to outstanding sensitive issues, and ensure that the negotiations achieve the TPP Leaders’ objective of a high-quality, ambitious, and comprehensive agreement this year. Meanwhile, the negotiating teams agreed on detailed intersessional work plans so that the momentum achieved during this week’s round in Lima can be maintained. The 18th round of TPP negotiations will be held in Malaysia from July 15th-25th. Business Leaders Across Asia Pacific Call for Redoubling of Efforts to Conclude Comprehensive TPP Accord by Year’s End TPP Has the Potential to Revitalise Japan’s Agriculture Sector Last chance to enter Awards for companies trading with the USA Entries for the 2013 American Chamber of Commerce – DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards, held in conjunction with Hawaiian Airlines close on Friday 14th June. The awards celebrate business achievement between New Zealand and its third largest trading partner, the United States. The winners receives a return economy Class ticket on Hawaiian Airlines from Auckland to either, Honolulu, Maui, The Big Island, Kauai, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Portland, Phoenix, Sacramento or New York. (Continued on page 3) Supporting Amcham Volume 1112 Issue 84 Page 3 (Continued from page 2) Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel Auckland on 8th August. Companies interested in entering the 2013 awards can find further information at www.amcham.co.nz or email [email protected] or phone 09 309 9140.