ASEAN and New Zealand continued to exchange views on international, regional and bilateral trade and other economic issues.

Since the Eighth ASEAN - New Zealand Dialogue, Wellington, 7 - 8 April 1988, one significant development in the ASEAN - New Zealand . dialogue relations is the focus on the Trade and Investment Promotion Package (TIPP) and the Institutional Linkages Programme (IILP) as two important areas of future cooperation. Details of both the programmes are being formulated by the New Zealand consultants with inputs from ASEAN member countries. The main objective of the TIPP is to assist ASEAN member countries in expanding and diversifying their exports to New Zealand. The II LP aims to foster a mutually beneficial flow and exchange of information by developing linkages between appropriate ASEAN and New Zealand groups and institutions that will encourage joint cooperation in addressing the economic and social development of ASEAN and New Zealand. The final reports on the TIPP and the IILP by the consultants for submission to the New Zealand Government for approval are expected to be ready by the end of September and late October 1988 respectively.

About 97% of the budget allocation of NZ$ 2.2 million was utilized in the Financial Year 1987/88. Two projects were successfully completed, namely, the ASEAN - New Zealand Afforestation Project and the Training Attachment of Operating Legal Aid Services and the Management of Legal Aid Officers. ASEAN has also benefitted from a number of on-going projects such as the Dairy Technology Course, the Training of Narcotics Dogs, the Veterinary Management Development Project and the Research Fellowships in ASEAN Affairs at the Singapore Institute of South East Asian Studies. The projects on the Updating of the Survey on the End-Uses of Timber and English for Business and Technology will be implemented soon.

ASEAN appreciates New Zealand's efforts in assisting its participation in the Hospitality International Trade Fair to be held in Auckland from 24 - 26 July 1988. ASEAN's participation will help the promotion of ASEAN's products in the New Zealand market.

New Zealand has indicated that in reviewing its tariff system, it would take into consideration the ASEAN request for the -inclusion of additional items in the New Zealand GSP scheme and the deepening of tariff cut for specific items. New Zealand has also indicated its readiness to consider granting improved market access to ASEAN through bilateral tariff negotiations and in return for concessions made by ASEAN on products of interest to New Zealand.

For more information, please refer to the project details