World trade deal is top priority, PM tells Apec

By GEORGINA BOND

The World Trade Organisation's Doha round is New Zealand's top trade priority, Prime Minister Helen Clark told the Apec Business Advisory Council conference in Auckland yesterday.

Speaking to 150 Asia Pacific business leaders, Clark underscored the need to build on momentum created in Geneva a fortnight ago, and to aim for an early and ambitious conclusion of the round.

"It's to the Doha Round of the WTO that we look for fundamental changes in the world trade rules which discriminate against agricultural exporters like New Zealand," she said.

The leaders, who represent the 21 member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, are in Auckland to discuss issues affecting economic growth and stability in the region.

Business facilitation, trade and investment promotion, financial market stability and anti-corruption are on the agenda.

Recommendations will be presented to Apec leaders at their annual meeting in Santiago, Chile, in November.

Sir Dryden Spring, leading the New Zealand contingent at this week's conference, expects it will strengthen business resolve to keep the pressure on political leaders to make completion of the Doha Round an absolute priority.

Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton, halted in Wellington by storms, told leaders in a video-conference call that nothing could match the potential returns to the New Zealand economy from global trade liberalisation.

The conference finishes on Friday.