US|NZ Council Applauds New Zealand’s Accession to World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2015

US|NZ Council Applauds New Zealand’s Accession to World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement

Creating Broader Collaboration Between Trusted Allies

Washington, D.C.  — The United States | New Zealand Council applauds the accession of New Zealand to the terms of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) – creating opportunities for New Zealand businesses to bid on $1.7 trillion in government contracts worldwide.

Under the agreement, New Zealand-based businesses will have guaranteed legally binding access to government contracting opportunities in 43 countries covered by the GPA.  This supports the New Zealand government’s goal of increasing exports to 40% of GDP by 2025.  It also creates expanded commercial opportunities and trade flows between the United States and New Zealand – adding to the already flourishing economic, political, and cultural ties between our two nations.

US | New Zealand Council Chairman Ed Farrell, said, “New Zealand’s partnership on the WTO GPA is a substantial step towards promoting opportunities for U.S. businesses in New Zealand, as well as New Zealand companies in the United States. It’s a huge deal and the negotiators who worked on developing this agreement deserve our recognition.” Further, Farrell notes “The size of this market opportunity on both sides cannot be understated as it is measured in the trillions of U.S. dollars and the US|NZ Council is looking forward to working with our members to take advantage of the new opportunities provided by this agreement.”