Vietnam, NZ Leaders Meet to Boost Economic Cooperation

Top Vietnamese and New Zealand leaders gathered in Auckland for a business roundtable meeting to discuss economic cooperation between their countries. The event, which took place on August 13, 2026, was attended by General Secretary and President To Lam, Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay, and representatives from various ministries and sectors.

General Secretary and President To Lam expressed his appreciation for the open and substantive exchanges between the two countries' business communities. He emphasized the importance of upgrading cooperation in agriculture and food along green value chains, promoting projects in smart agriculture and biotechnology, and removing barriers related to standards, quarantine requirements, and market access.

According to To Lam, Vietnam is committed to improving its investment environment and creating favorable conditions for New Zealand businesses to make long-term investments. He also suggested that New Zealand's businesses view Vietnam as a partner for research, product development, manufacturing, and innovation in Southeast Asia.

Minister McClay regards Vietnam as one of New Zealand's important partners in Southeast Asia, with a fast-growing economy, a market of over 100 million people, and deep integration into global trade. He highlighted the potential for cooperation in high-tech agriculture, medical technology, education, research, and skills development.