Local companies eyeing Wales as a way into the lucrative British market will have a chance to meet representatives from a range of Welsh businesses next week.
Executives from a string of companies - ranging from pharmaceutical and biotechnology businesses to construction and software specialists - are visiting New Zealand with
the aim of boosting trading links.
"Wales and New Zealand already enjoy a fantastic relationship which is based on both our shared love of the national sport of rugby and on an economy that bears remarkable similarities," said trade mission leader Mike Thomas.
"Like New Zealand, Wales has a rich and varied agricultural economy and, like New Zealand, our nation is also investing heavily and developing knowledge-led and increasingly sophisticated companies. The trade mission will act as both a shop window for our companies and an opportunity for New Zealand businesses to develop trading alliances."
The mission, which will spend five days here, is organised by WalesTrade International, the overseas trade arm of the Welsh Assembly Government.
Among those attending will be Deborah Davies, who heads export sales at Biocatalysts, a manufacturer of enzymes, largely for the food industry.
"We already have an agent, Salkat, in New Zealand which has produced encouraging results. The trade mission will give us an opportunity to tackle the dairy and wine industries," she said.
One local business that has already taken advantage of Wales is Tauranga technology firm Panztel.
With help from the Welsh Development Agency it set up a base there two years ago and was recently named the sixth fastest growing company in New Zealand on the Deloittes/Unlimited Fast 50 list.
* For further information or to arrange an appointment with members of the Wales Trade International Trade Mission contact Brian Murray, trade development manager at the British Consulate-General in Auckland. Telephone 09-303 5017. Email Brian. Murray@fco.gov.uk
