\u201cI shared it with the team and we quite enjoyed it, but the innovation part of Switzerland when it comes to chocolate is the milk chocolate, and I\u2019m a keen fan of Swiss milk chocolate, and if it has some hazelnut in it, even better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked if there\u2019d be a market for New Zealand-produced chocolate in Switzerland, she doubted it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to hurt your feelings. Many, many years ago, New Zealanders didn\u2019t want us to sell the chocolate overseas. But luckily, we\u2019ll share it with everyone in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s so far only a promise for trade negotiators to sit down and have preliminary discussions about a deal.<\/p>\n
But Artieda also firmly ruled out dairy being part of any deal.<\/p>\n
McLay denied that would make it harder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe haven\u2019t started negotiation, nor should we be trying to negotiate anything together in front of the New Zealand media. Today we\u2019re announcing that we are starting a process of engagement and negotiation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOfficials will get together, they\u2019ll do some scoping for us, but you have two countries that are like-minded, that like to respect the rules, they\u2019re saying we think there could be some opportunities for us to broaden that out and give certainty to our exporters at a time when all over the world there are barriers going up. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking to reduce those barriers but, as with our negotiations with India, we won\u2019t be doing it in the media.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kiwifruit and other fruit products were attractive to Switzerland.<\/p>\n
Two-way trade between the two countries is almost $1.9 billion.<\/p>\n
Officials will meet in September and report back next year, but the pair hoped talks could progress quickly, despite the clear sticking points.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur trade with the European Union and the UK is growing very quickly because of our free trade agreements,\u201d McLay said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means that New Zealand companies are investing effort and capital in those markets and therefore it\u2019s very, very close to Switzerland as well. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe New Zealand companies are already starting to establish themselves in Europe, it makes a lot of sense for us to look at one of the wealthiest and most significantly economically, technology developed economies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FIT meeting is the biggest to be held in New Zealand in two decades. Formalities kicked off with a powhiri this morning.<\/p>\n
Ten trade ministers and about 100 delegates representing 21 countries have jetted into Auckland.<\/p>\n