ASEAN framework to boost Vietnam-NZ trade ambitions

Vietnam will enjoy more advantages when expanding its trade and investment cooperation with New Zealand through trade deals via ASEAN.

- By Nguyen Thanh

Weaker external demand and high costs could further affect exports

As coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand relations for the 2024-2027 period, Vietnam is now working with all sides to push up preparations for a forum on sub-regional cooperation next month, which it will host.

“The forum aims to create a venue for officials and experts to tighten coordination in sub-regional cooperation and drive regional development,” said the Department of Information and Press under the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is expected that at the forum, stakeholders will discuss how to boost ASEAN-New Zealand trade and investment ties, as well as such cooperation between Vietnam and New Zealand, backed by free trade agreements (FTAs), including easing trade barriers and facilitate trade and investment flows. Two-way trade between ASEAN and New Zealand hit $13.3 billion in 2025.

In mid-May, both countries co-chaired the 33rd ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue in Christchurch, with Vietnamese Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggesting that the two sides effectively carry out the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand agreement (AANZFTA) and expedite procedures to bring the ASEAN-New Zealand Air Services Agreement into force soon.

Under the latter, signed last October in Malaysia, designated airlines of ASEAN member states and New Zealand will have access to unlimited third and fourth freedom traffic rights, as well as seven weekly fifth freedom traffic rights, on top of existing bilateral entitlements. Additional rights will be introduced one year after the agreement enters into force, following each party’s respective ratification processes.

To respond to the Middle East conflicts and capitalise on strengths and potential, Giang also suggested stronger cooperation in green economy, digital economy, smart agriculture, and capacity building for climate change forecasting and adaptation.