New Zealand Maori businesses seeking to build links with South Korea, Japan

 A government-led delegation of New Zealand's Maori businesses will be seeking to drum up trade in South Korea and Japan next week.

It would be New Zealand's first trade mission to South Korea since a free trade agreement between the two countries entered into force in December last year, mission leader Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell said Friday.

The Maori economy, valued at 42 billion NZ dollars (29.58 billion U.S. dollars), had huge potential to boost New Zealand's prosperity, Flavell said in a statement.

"We led a similar trip to China last year, which was very successful, so it's good to be extending the initiative to South Korea and Japan," Flavell said.

"These countries offer large markets with sophisticated consumers who want the sort of products Maori excel at delivering. This includes high-value seafood, honey and bee products, as well as tourism opportunities," he said.

"While Maori businesses already have trading links with these countries, this cultural and trade mission is focused on strengthening those ties and initiating new links that put relationships first, before getting down to business."

The delegation included 12 Maori business leaders from tourism, fishing, forestry, food and beverage, and nutraceuticals sectors

source : xinhua