Promoting New Zealand in Latin America
When you read this I will probably be heading home from the Prime Minister’s delegation to Latin America.
Before I update you on my trip, I realise the prolonged drought is starting to have a serious effect. Like you I'm hopeful that we will get some rain soon.
It has been a hectic schedule but very rewarding. In just three days alone I’ve met the respective Presidents of Mexico, Colombia and Chile.
We are working hard to promote New Zealand, and particularly our skills in agricultural innovation. The nations we are visiting are similar to us in that they are big producers of the food the rest of the world wants, especially beef and dairy products.
Latin America offers New Zealand a wealth of opportunities. The countries I visited are growing fast, welcoming foreign investment, and want to increase their agricultural productivity.
New Zealand is in a strong position to work with these countries to help lift their agricultural performance. It is in our interest to work with these countries, establish close links, and develop business opportunities for New Zealand companies.
A topic discussed in every country on this trip is the growing global population and the challenge of feeding this population. I believe that New Zealand should see this challenge as an opportunity. And I believe that as a nation of 4.4 million that feeds 40 million people, we are well placed to take advantage of this opportunity.
The scope for development in Latin America is huge. In New Zealand we can increase our productivity but we struggle to find more land. Columbia, Chile and Brazil respectively have millions of hectares that are undeveloped and suitable for agricultural production. Latin America has the land, we have the expertise.
New Zealand has a great reputation in Latin America for our high quality produce. We also have a great reputation for being innovative for leading the world in the way we do business, and for the way our Government provides an environment for business to get ahead.
We have made great progress on this trip in terms of developing relationships and I will continue to do what I can to help our companies succeed overseas. This is a key part of this Government's goal of increasing our exports and growing a more productive and competitive New Zealand economy.