Business groups on the TPP

The Herald reports:

Business and industry group leaders have lent their support to the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement in an open letter to Prime Minister John Key.

In the letter they make the point:

NZ stands to gain significantly from TPP, which links 36% of global GDP, 812 million consumers and includes markets taking 40% of our exports …

It is inconceivable that NZ would allow our access to markets to be impaired and our competitiveness to decline by standing outside such an important agreement when our competitors are part of it.

Yet that is now official Labour Party policy.

The letter was signed by:

• BusinessNZ
• ExportNZ
• NZ International Business Forum
• Federated Farmers
• Auckland Chamber of Commerce
• EMA
• Food & Grocery Council
• Dairy Companies Assn
• NZ Winegrowers
• Horticulture NZ
• American Chamber of Commerce in NZ
• Beef + Lamp NZ
• Medical technology Assn
• ManufacturingNZ
• Wellington Employers Chamber of Commerce
• NZ US Council
• NZ Port Company CEO Group
• NZ Shippers Council
• Employers Otago Southland
• Health IT
• ASEAN NZ Business Council
• Japan NZ Business Council
• Canada NZ Business Council
• Latin America NZ Business Council