Brexit a huge opportunity for New Zealand companies
British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Jonathan Sinclair at Fieldays.
New Zealand agri-businesses are in a position to step up trade and investment in the United Kingdom after its decision to exit the European Union.
The Brexit vote had made it clear how important free trade was going to be for the UK over the next 10-20 years and was why the UK Department of International Trade was back at Fieldays for the first time in 17 years, British High Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair said.
"One of the reasons for being here is that we know agriculture is the backbone of the New Zealand economy, but what I think people know less well is about is how dynamic the agriculture industry and the food and beverage industry is in the UK."
Fieldays last week provided a perfect opportunity to forge those partnerships, he said.
The UK site featured several companies looking for New Zealand suppliers to forge partnerships commercially and in research and development.
The UK agriculture industry is worth £9 billion and has expertise and innovation in precision agriculture and crop protection.
"What we are looking for here is an opportunity across this space to deepen partnerships."
There were also opportunities for New Zealand companies to invest in the UK. When agriculture did well, New Zealand did well and that sentiment was being picked up by British exporters, investors and scientists, he said.
The UK voted to exit the European Union last year and has 22 months to complete that process.
Read the full article here...