Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week — in efforts he describes as seeking to deepen New Zealand's ties with South East Asia.
Luxon would travel with a senior business delegation from Sunday, April 14 to Saturday, April 20.
The contingent would be joined by Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts, and New Zealand's first Filipino MP, Paulo Garcia.
"South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to our prosperity and our security," Luxon said in a statement. "I look forward to meeting my counterparts and seeing firsthand what more we can do to deepen our relationships. I’m also pleased to be leading New Zealand businesses into the region.
“Building new connections and renewing relationships with partners and customers in these important markets is a priority.”
Luxon and the delegates would first visit Singapore, which Luxon called "one of our most important partners in South East Asia, and one of our largest sources of foreign investment".
"I am delighted to accept Prime Minister Lee [Hsien Loong]’s invitation and look forward to expanding and diversifying our relationship diplomatically and economically," he said.
That would be followed by a visit to Thailand – the first dedicated visit to the country by a New Zealand prime minister since 2013.
Luxon said Thailand "is an anchor for our interests in the region".
"I look forward to continuing my discussions with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, advancing our significant trade and economic links, and building on the close ties that have existed between us since we first established diplomatic relations nearly 70 years ago.”
The group would then travel to the Philippines – the first dedicated visit to the country by a New Zealand prime minister in 14 years.
"I am looking forward to reconnecting with President [Ferdinand Romualdez] Marcos Jr, to advancing our countries’ relationship of nearly 60 years and to scoping more opportunities for New Zealand businesses," Luxon said.
"Continuing to foster our global relationships can only benefit the New Zealand economy and I intend to pursue these relationships in South East Asia and around the world. This Government is determined to deliver on our plan to rebuild the economy so Kiwis can get ahead again and strengthening our trade and business connections with the world is an important part of that."
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