Participation of New Caledonia in the "Commercial Interest in French Pacific Territories" conference (Auckland, March 18)

On Wednesday March 18, the French-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNZCCI) and the New Zealand Pacific Business Council organised a conference in Auckland dedicated to commercial interest in their French neighbours of New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.

Five speakers addressed an audience of 87 people, on topics relating to politics, economics, and potential investments in the French Pacific territories, before taking part in a panel discussion:

- H.E. Mr. Shane JONES, New Zealand’s Ambassador for Pacific Economic development, representing the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT);
- Dr Yves LAFOY, New Caledonia Delegate to New Zealand, Official Representative of New Caledonia to the New Zealand Government;

- Francois COTIER, Country Director for Australia and New Zealand, representing Business France;

- Sam ALLNUTT, General Manager for the Pacific region, Fontera;

- Benoit MARCENAC, Managing Director, Sofrana.

In introducing the conference, attention was drawn to the economic importance of the three French Pacific territories. In 2014, New Zealand exports to the three destinations amounted to €327m, compared to €357m in exports to France.

The New Caledonia Delegate to New Zealand addressed the institutional framework of New Caledonia, the state of play of its commercial relationship with New Zealand, and the strengths of New Caledonia for the Pacific region. Among other things, his speech:

• promoted the attractiveness of New Caledonia, which benefits from a triple French, European and Pacific identity, including a stable currency pegged to the Euro, as well as direct access to the European market;
• recalled that New Caledonia has/possesses a real industrial base, strong in its position as the world’s 6th largest nickel producer;

• mentioned the economic partnership opportunities in the Letter of Intent (MoU) signed in July 2012 between the FNZCCi and the New Caledonia CCI on the sidelines of the visit by Minister Murray McCULLY;
• strengthened the technical contacts in attendance: NZ Trade Enterprise (NZTE), NZ PAC Business Council, BECA (engineering and consultancy services company located in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia), FNZCCI and the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF);
• strengthened political contacts: Ambassador Shane Jones expressed an interest in meeting the Ambassador Florence JEANBLANC-RISLER and the Delegate for New Caledonia to New Zealand.

Finally, during the panel discussion that followed the five presentations, discussions focused on the experiences of New Zealand entrepreneurs on doing business with neighbouring French territories, especially in the food, retail, construction and shipping sectors.