English to travel to London, Hong Kong

Finance Minister Bill English leaves for Hong Kong and London on Sunday to raise New Zealand's profile with investors and business groups.

Mr English is Acting Prime Minister until John Key returns to New Zealand on the weekend

Mr English's six-day trip follows a similar visit to Tokyo and New York last month.

"It's important that we are talking directly to these groups in the world's financial capitals, with the Government needing to borrow about $40 billion over the next four years," Mr English said.

During his two days in Hong Kong, Mr English will call on Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief executive Norman Chan and Hong Kong SAR chief secretary for administration Henry Tang.

In London, Mr English will meet British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, and speak to businesses and investor groups.

"As I did during my visit to Japan and the United States last month, I'll be reminding investors that New Zealand's economic fundamentals are sound and that we are well positioned to come out of the recession ahead of many other countries," Mr English said.

- NZPA