A 52 strong trade mission flies out to Indonesia this weekend for two weeks of intensive briefings and meetings.

The mission organised by Export New Zealand and the ASEAN New Zealand Combined Business Council is being led by Hon Maurice Williamson and Sir Ken Stevens, Chairman of Export New Zealand and executive chairman of Glidepath Group.

Major events for the mission include a conference on New Zealand in Jakarta on Monday, May 20th, and the Minister’s opening at a Jakarta university of a photographic essay (and book) by Ans Westra – ‘The Crescent Moon’ – on Moslem life in New Zealand.

 The delegation is made up of members of Export New Zealand, the ASEAN-NZBC from the food and beverage, education, geothermal and banking sectors together with a large contingent from sector group Aviation New Zealand. The mission is supported by ASB Bank and Commonwealth Bank Indonesia.

 “New Zealand wants to forge much stronger relationships with Indonesia and this mission represents our commitment towards achieving that,” said Sir Ken Stevens, co-leader of the mission.

“We want to show that the Prime Minister John Key’s state visit last year was not a once off event,” he said.

“Collectively our mission presents a viable and formidable force to increase trade between our two countries.

 “We’re looking forward to building new relationships and cementing those already in place across our diverse sectors.

 “In particular we will be promoting New Zealand’s expertise in food and beverage and food safety, geothermal, education and aviation services.

“The 20 strong aviation delegation is a special testament to our expertise in this field. We have world-class pilot training, airport development expertise and aircraft maintenance systems,” Sir Ken said.

“The ASB Bank is delighted to support the strengthening business relationship between our two important markets,” said Mike Atkins, Head of International Trade, ASB Bank.

“We’re going on the mission to better understand how we can facilitate the expansion of trade between our countries,” he said.

The delegation will be in Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya and Bali from 19th-30th of May.