LEANZ Seminar in Wellington: The New Zealand – China Free Trade Agreement

The Law and Economics Association of New Zealand (LEANZ) is hosting an interesting seminar in Wellingotn next Monday on the free trade deal with China. It is being presented by some people in MFAT who were involved the behind the scenes economic and legal analysis of the deal. I (Agnitio) went to this seminar in Auckland and enjoyed it.

Seminar and RSPV details below

Topic: The New Zealand – China Free Trade Agreement

Speaker: Gus Charteris and Wendy Matthews, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

Date: Monday 10 November 2008

Time: Refreshments from 5.30pm, seminar at 6pm

Venue: DLA Phillips Fox, Tower Building, 50 – 64 Customhouse Quay

Topic: The Olympics are in Beijing, and the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement Act 2008 is in Wellington.  The mighty Dragon economy of China has never featured more prominently in New Zealanders’ collective consciousness (or our TV screen daily intake).

But what are the underlying economic issues, the cost-benefit analyses, and the features that make this a worthwhile exercise in entwining our two economies more closely.  Topics to consider include:

• economic analyses, gains from trade (in the areas of efficiency, terms of trade, dynamic gains, etc) and use of CGE models;
• the impact the FTAs are having on the rule of law and decision making in China;
• the freeing up of labour movement, including mutual recognition and regulation of the professions; and
• the likelihood of further FTAs to leverage off this one, and the legal framework for how MFN provisions etc will work in the event of future FTAs.

Speaker: Gus Charteris, Economist, whose responsibilities include quantitative and qualitative economic research and analysis of bilateral and regional trade agreements.

Wendy Matthews is from the legal division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

As usual, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion following the presentation.

If you have any queries about this seminar or would like to RSVP, please email angela.bamford@bellgully.com.