New Zealand will build upon the free trade agreement signed with Korea last year and bolster economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific, newly appointed Ambassador to Korea Clare Fearnley said in front of business leaders at a forum last week.

Fearnley, who officially started her ambassadorship on Feb. 12, spoke in front of some 50 business leaders from both countries and said, “The Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement sealed in November last year will give new momentum to our wide-ranging relationship.”

Thanking the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea for organizing the event at the JW Marriott Seoul on March 5, she added, “The Kiwi Chamber’s members are well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities created by the agreement.”
 

Fearnley also presented the embassy’s other plans and priorities for this year and beyond.

Chamber chairman Simon Walsh said, “We look forward to working closely together with our new ambassador and will do everything possible to build upon the existing Korea-New Zealand business relationship during this ‘Year of the FTA.’”

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, ANZ Bank, Dongwon, Ottogi, Ildong Foodis, Macquarie, Citibank and Tiwi Trade, among others, participated in the event.

The newly appointed ambassador is New Zealand’s 14th resident head of mission in Korea since bilateral diplomatic relations were established in 1962. There have been four nonresident ambassadors.

Fearnley moved to Korea from her previous posting as director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s North Asia Division. She has previously served as director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei and consul general in Shanghai. She has also been posted in Geneva, New York and Ottawa on diplomatic missions.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)