By: Katie Bradford-Crozier | Thursday, April 19, 2012 8:53 AM

If I had to pick a theme for the Prime Minister’s trip to Indonesia and Singapore it’d be everyone’s favourite topic – food.

John Key thinks Kiwi delicacies are perfect for the South East Asian market and those two countries are key gateways to that.

New Zealand wines feature prominently on the menu at the Four Seasons Hotel, where the Prime Minister stayed.

And the New Zealand stands at Asia’s largest food expo in Singapore were certainly popular.

The size of the expo is unbelievable. Held every second year, it features over 2600 exhibitors from around the world and has nine huge halls. And while the New Zealand section was small, it’s good for our businesses to be on display. Kiwi orange juice, ice cream, meat and honey were all available to sample and admire.

At the moment, New Zealand doesn’t come anywhere near the top five markets for Singapore when it comes to the huge food market. Singapore doesn’t produce its own food, and let’s be honest, it’s what we do best.

And so all the business and political meetings the PM’s had in both countries will only serve to benefit our markets.

Speaking of benefits, these trips inspire more international media coverage for our PM.

Just like in India last year, Key managed to grace the front page of a local newspaper in Jakarta.

And while in Singapore, BBC World snapped him up for an interview for his views on the world economy.

The Indonesian leg of the trip certainly held more significance for New Zealand. Singapore was more of a stopover, a “hi, how are you” to the political leaders and a slight push to industry. But the fact the red carpet was laid out both times for the Prime Minister shows that despite our size – we’re still seen as relevant. And they do want a bite of our cherry.

Newstalk ZB political reporter Katie Bradford-Crozier is in Singapore with the Prime Minister and is covering his Asia trip

Photo: John Key speaks at a Singapore business lunch