COLORADO SPRINGS ~ At the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Governor Jared Polis and New Zealand's Space Minister Judith Collins signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to strengthen the partnership between the two regions and promote opportunities in aerospace, quantum, and geothermal technologies. The signing of this agreement is a result of a meeting between Governor Polis and Minister Collins in April 2024, where they both agreed to take active steps towards further cooperation in key advanced industries.

Governor Polis expressed his excitement about strengthening the relationship with New Zealand, stating that the country shares their commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and advancing new technologies. He believes that this agreement will create more opportunities for investments into Colorado businesses and lead to the creation of new jobs.

The MoC aims to increase bilateral foreign direct investment between Colorado and New Zealand, develop research and development projects, facilitate company exchanges and expansion opportunities, as well as promote regional technology hubs and innovation ecosystems that advance strategic industries.

Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT (Office of Economic Development and International Trade), emphasized the importance of building long-term relationships with international partners. She stated that this milestone builds on years of cooperation with New Zealand to increase opportunities for startups and growing businesses while advancing new technologies. Lieberman also highlighted the economic benefits of this partnership, such as strengthening economies and creating new jobs.

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Currently, two-way trade between New Zealand and Colorado is valued at $61 million annually. In 2024 alone, Colorado exported $23 million worth of goods to New Zealand including transportation equipment, machinery, computer and electronic products. On the other hand, Colorado imported $38 million worth of goods from New Zealand including machinery; computer and electronics; beverage and tobacco products; and processed foods. Over the past five years, New Zealand has been one of the top providers of foreign direct investment into Colorado with twenty-nine companies from New Zealand located in Denver alone.

The sister-city relations between ski resort areas Queenstown and Aspen, which have been in place since 1992, have also contributed to the strong ties between the two regions. In 2019, Colorado's Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera and OEDIT conducted an investment mission to New Zealand. In September 2024, Auckland and Denver became City2City partners with the aim of encouraging innovation and boosting startup ecosystems in both cities. These strong ties led New Zealand to appoint representatives from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise to assist New Zealand companies in landing in Colorado, as well as an Honorary Consul based in Denver. Following the signing of the MoC, a steering committee will be formed to oversee the implementation of the agreement.

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The Global Business Development Division (GBD) of OEDIT is responsible for supporting Colorado businesses and communities by using a data-driven approach to recruit, support, and retain businesses that contribute to a robust and diversified economy. GBD aligns its programs, services, and incentives with industries that benefit Colorado companies and elevate the state's national and international competitiveness. The division also hosts foreign delegations and participates in trade and investment missions around the world to strengthen global awareness of Colorado.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works towards empowering all individuals to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor, OEDIT collaborates with economic development partners across the state to foster a thriving business environment through funding programs, training opportunities, consulting services, and informational resources across industries and regions. The office's goal is to promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding businesses in Colorado while providing support for entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. Ultimately, OEDIT aims to protect what makes Colorado a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit, and retire - making it accessible for everyone.

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