New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (Photo courtesy of PM Luxon/Facebook)
MANILA – New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to the Philippines together with a senior business delegation next week, his office has announced.
The New Zealand government said Luxon would meet with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and scope more opportunities for Kiwi businesses while in the country.
His Manila visit is part of his three Southeast Asian-nation tour from April 14 to 20. Luxon will be coming from Singapore and Thailand.
“The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in the region and expected to be a top 20 global economy by 2050. I am looking forward to reconnecting with President Marcos, to advancing our countries’ relationship of nearly 60 years, and to scoping more opportunities for New Zealand businesses,” he said in a statement dated April 8.
“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,” he added.
The New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry earlier identified renewable energy, environmental and social deliverables, and back office support and skilled labor as “areas of significant potential” for New Zealand businesses in the country.
Apart from a business delegation, New Zealand Minister of Climate Change and Revenue Simon Watts and Paulo Garcia, New Zealand’s first Filipino Member of Parliament, will accompany Luxon to Manila.
This will be the first dedicated visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to the Philippines in the past 14 years, according to his office. (PNA)
