New Zealand – Visit by Olivier Becht (5-8 March 2023)

Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will visit New Zealand from March 5 to 8.

There he will meet with Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Land Information, Trade and Export Growth, and Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Disarmament and Arms Control, and Maori Development, to discuss the strengthening of our bilateral economic relationship. As one of New Zealand’s important trading partners, France maintains close economic cooperation with that country, which could be stepped up further in view of the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

As the regional integration of our overseas communities is one of the priorities of France’s Indo-Pacific strategy, the Minister Delegate will express support for new partnerships between French and New Zealand companies, especially French overseas companies. He will therefore open the French Pacific Business Forum together with his New Zealand counterpart, Rino Tirikatene.

Mr. Becht will also meet with several key figures involved in our economic relationship with New Zealand: representatives of French companies, French researchers and members of the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce. He will also meet Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, with whom he will discuss the presence of French companies in the area as well as the city’s transportation needs.

Lastly, the Minister Delegate will meet with the French communities of Auckland and Wellington.