The open letter, organised by BusinessNZ, was signed by 28 exporters and industry associations, such as Federated Farmers, Zespri, Seafood New Zealand and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
The letter said trade was critical to New Zealand’s prosperity and the FTA was the next significant step forward.
“In an increasingly uncertain global environment marked by rising protectionism, geopolitical tension and supply chain disruption, New Zealand cannot afford to stand still,” the letter said.
“Securing better access to India will help build resilience, spread risk and strengthen our economic position.
“An FTA with India is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity for our economic security.”
BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich said bipartisan support underpinned the strength of New Zealand’s trade.
“New Zealand relies on global markets to drive growth, support jobs and lift incomes,” she said.
“That only works when there is consistency and confidence in our trade settings.
“That’s why we’re making this call to all political parties today.”
The open letter refers to the benefits of the FTA to a number of sectors, including horticulture, sheep meat, seafood, wine, honey, wood products, seeds and natural fibres, machinery, digital technology and services.
ExportNZ, which sits within the BusinessNZ network, said the deal would be a “major win” for exporters and the wider economy.
Its executive director, Joshua Tan, told RNZ’s Midday Report the letter was aimed at all political parties, not just Labour or New Zealand First.
“We want to have trade seen as a bipartisan, non-political issue here,” Tan said.
“We think that all political parties need to sign this deal and agree to it,” he said.
“India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030.
“Securing fair access to a market the size of India’s backs our farmers, growers, manufacturers, innovators and service providers, as well as the communities that depend on them.”
Tan said the sooner the deal was in place, the better.
“If we are too slow, sectors can be left at a disadvantage to other deals that India ... is completing,” he said.
“Namely, the EU [European Union] deal, which offers better access to the wine exporters, for example.
“So if we do get this deal in force before that, then we also stand to benefit from the access that the EU has negotiated.
“That’s why speed is the key here.”
The Meat Industry Association was one of the signatories.
Its chair, Nathan Guy, told RNZ that political parties had a long history of supporting free trade agreements together.
Guy said the deal would remove a 30% tariff for the sheep meat sector and was also significant for wool, pharmaceuticals, and blood products.
“It’s a fantastic deal for our primary sector at a time where there’s geopolitical issues raging around the world; we need this deal more than ever,” he said.
“We’re calling on the Government to sign the deal, and we’re calling on political parties to get behind and back it.”
‘Signing a contract blindfolded’ – Winston Peters
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the letter was a “breathtaking” position for BusinessNZ to take.
“How they and the 28 other businesses and associations could have signed up to support the India FTA without knowing what is in it is an appalling commentary on them all,” Peters posted on social media.
“How on earth can there be any sort of proper analysis of the FTA if they haven’t even read the agreement?”
Peters said his office had put that question to BusinessNZ, but had not received a response.
“This is tantamount to those businesses signing a contract blindfolded,” he said.
“If it is true that this support for the FTA is not based on the actual text but instead relies on media reports and conflicting perspectives from different parties, it is a terrible indictment on how they operate.”
‘Issues and inconsistencies’ – Labour
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Labour had seen the open letter “from the businesses which would benefit from the trade agreement” and it was important that any deal worked in the long-term interests of all New Zealanders.
Hipkins said Labour had been asking the Government for a response to its concerns for almost two months, but the Government had yet to provide the detail Labour had requested.
“There are issues and inconsistencies that still need to be clarified by the Government to ensure any deal works in the long-term interest of New Zealanders,” Hipkins said.
“Once we’ve received the details and worked through all the advice, we will discuss as a caucus and make a decision about whether to support the legislation.”
– RNZ
