Category: Commerce

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GMA Capital Partners Joins Hong Kong’s Business Environment Council

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 February 2026 – GMA Capital Partners has joined the Business Environment Council (BEC), reflecting the firm’s engagement with Hong Kong’s business and sustainability ecosystem and its interest in constructive dialogue on environmental and policy developments affecting the real economy.

Headquartered in Singapore, GMA Capital Partners is a principal investment firm focused on long-term investments, structured capital solutions, and cross-border partnerships across real-economy sectors, including infrastructure, energy transition, logistics, and strategic industrial markets. Membership in BEC provides a platform for engagement with corporates, policymakers, and industry participants on environmental considerations relevant to business operations and long-term asset resilience in Hong Kong and the region.

Established in 1992, BEC is an independent, business-led organisation that promotes environmental excellence through policy advocacy, thought leadership, and knowledge sharing. Its membership comprises multinational companies, listed entities, SMEs, startups, and non-governmental organisations across a broad range of industries.

Chasen Nevett, Managing Partner of GMA Capital Partners, said:

“Joining the Business Environment Council provides a constructive platform to engage with Hong Kong’s business community on practical environmental and sustainability considerations. Our focus remains on disciplined capital allocation into real-economy assets, where regulatory context, governance, and long-term environmental factors increasingly shape commercial outcomes.”

GMA Capital Partners’ approach to sustainability emphasises commercial discipline, transparency, and the consideration of transition-related risks and opportunities relevant to long-term asset performance. The firm looks forward to engaging with BEC initiatives and contributing to dialogue on environmental policy and sustainable business practices in Hong Kong and across the region.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/gma-capital-partners-joins-hong-kongs-business-environment-council/

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Standards announcement welcomed by BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ welcomes the announcement by Minister Scott Simpson that Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have reached an agreement whereby joint standards will be properly funded and there will no longer be commissioning fees for New Zealand industry for the development of joint Standards.
BusinessNZ Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says this is something industry has campaigned on, for many years.
“Standards Australia has been well resourced over the years, while Standards New Zealand was the poor cousin, and NZ businesses were having to pay to participate in joint standards development. This was on top of contributing experts sitting on committees and getting themselves to meetings in Australia.
“As a result of the cost barrier, and the 100 percent user pays model operating in New Zealand, there were about 500 joint standards that were de-jointed since 2016.
“Industry standards are needed for product safety, regulatory compliance, successful exporting and importing, efficiency, consistency, and many other needs. All manufactured items must be manufactured to recognised Standards. All recognised trade training in NZ is linked to Standards.
Beard says many Standards in use in NZ are Australia-NZ Joint Standards, created by joint work between industry groups on both sides of the Tasman. 
“Joint Standards are needed as Australia and NZ are each other’s biggest market for manufactured exports and given the closeness between the two economies and business sectors. This has been particularly challenging for construction and building industries, where safety could be compromised through inadequate Standards.”
Beard says the Minister, Standards NZ and Standards Australia should be congratulated on progress to fix the problem and that it would be a big relief for Industry Associations on both sides of the Tasman.
“BusinessNZ will continue to monitor this issue to ensure that Standards New Zealand is adequately funded to ensure this never happens again and that NZ can play its part in global standards development.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/standards-announcement-welcomed-by-businessnz/

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New trans-Tasman standards agreement signed

Source: New Zealand Government

A new agreement between Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia means improved products and opportunities for local businesses and households, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.

“This agreement is what this Government is all about – fixing the basics and building the future. It will make it easier to operate across New Zealand and Australia, reducing costs for businesses and improve the quality and safety of goods and services that consumers rely on every day,” Mr Simpson says.

In August 2025, Prime Minister Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed in their Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ meeting the importance of trans-Tasman standards and ongoing partnership.

“By aligning standards and adopting trusted international rules in areas like artificial intelligence, data management and cybersecurity, New Zealanders can have greater confidence that new technologies are being used safely and responsibly.

“Reducing fees and red tape will also free up businesses to invest in innovation and growth, supporting jobs, strengthening digital trade, and helping New Zealand businesses compete internationally – delivering long-term benefits for the wider economy.”

The two national standards bodies have signed a new Standards Development and Distribution Agreement and Statement of Operating Procedures.

Mr Simpson says the agreement reaffirms the commitment to trans-Tasman standards alignment.

“It ensures our standards system reflects modern science, technology, regulatory and business practice. It’s a win for New Zealand businesses, consumers, and our economy.”

Mr Simpson commended Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia for their close cooperation and focus on economic growth.

“Harmonised standards with Australia are a priority for this Government. The standards relationship between Australia and New Zealand is internationally unique and highly-valued, having delivered significant economic benefits to both countries.

“The new agreement has support from industry stakeholders on both sides of the Tasman and lays the foundation for future joint trans-Tasman standards development with Australia.”

Notes to editors:

 This agreement will ensure:

  • Shared standards to help businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, improve quality and meet regulatory requirements in both countries
  • Companies can focus on innovation, growth and global competitiveness
  • Adoption of international standards in areas such as artificial intelligence, data management, and cybersecurity gives businesses confidence to use new technologies
  • Removal of commissioning fees for New Zealand industry for joint Australian-New Zealand standards development
  • Support for digital trade and help New Zealand businesses remain competitive internationally
  • A stronger voice for New Zealand industry in the early scoping and prioritisation of joint standards work.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/09/new-trans-tasman-standards-agreement-signed/

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Election date announcement due as MPs gather for caucus retreats

Source: Radio New Zealand

PM Christopher Luxon giving his State of the Nation speech on Monday. RNZ / Calvin Samuel

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will announce this year’s general election date, as National MPs gather for their first caucus meetings of the year away from Parliament.

National MPs will meet in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold a caucus meeting in Auckland.

Luxon is expected to announce this year’s election date at about 12.30pm Wednesday.

On Monday, Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon Bridges pressed him on whether it would be held on 7 November.

“You’re going to find out very shortly, my friend, very shortly,” Luxon responded, before asking Bridges whether he would put money on that date.

He also indicated his ministers would not be reshuffled at the retreat, repeating his stance that he would only reshuffle when he needed to.

“I don’t feel a compunction to do this political thing every year where it’s done. I do it when I feel there’s a need to sharpen up or to change the profile of the individual leading the assignment, or there’s a different set of tasks that we need to be done by a certain personality.”

Luxon earlier told Newstalk ZB that National “may have some retirements”, which would necessitate a reshuffle.

So far, the only National MP to announce they will retire at the end of their term is New Lynn’s Paulo Garcia, who is not a minister.

The MPs have been in Christchurch since Tuesday afternoon, gathering privately for a dinner at their hotel.

Luxon gave his State of the Nation speech on Monday, when he indicated National would shy away from any “extravagant” election promises this year.

He did not announce any policies, other than to speak about National’s previously announced pledge to raise the default KiwiSaver contribution rate, if re-elected.

Luxon is also not expected to announce any policies at the retreat.

Meanwhile, Labour is gathering in West Auckland for its own caucus retreat.

Leader Chris Hipkins has attempted to rebuild relationships in Auckland, after Labour lost key seats in the Super City in 2023 and saw its party vote fall.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins would not reveal any more retirements from his party. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Hipkins would not reveal what would be discussed at the retreat, nor would he be drawn on any reshuffles or departures.

While figures like Grant Robertson, Kelvin Davis, Rino Tirikatene and David Parker have retired over the course of the term, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb is the only Labour MP to confirm they will stepping down at the election.

Hipkins would not say whether any more had told him over the summer they would be leaving, saying it was up to his MPs to announce their plans.

“I’ve always been very clear that, where any MP indicates that to me, it’s their business to announce that and I always leave them the space to do that. Simply speculating on whether there had been or there hadn’t been would be unfair on anybody, had there been that conversation.”

Later this week, parties (minus ACT) will visit Rātana Pā for the annual commemorations, before Parliament’s first sitting week of the year next week.

The sitting block will last only a week though, with Parliament then breaking for a week and politicians heading to Waitangi.

The Prime Minister has yet to confirm if he will attend Waitangi this year, after opting to spend the occasion last year with Ngāi Tahu in Akaroa instead.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/election-date-announcement-due-as-mps-gather-for-caucus-retreats-2/