11 February 2010
Jon Mayson, Board Chair, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Submission to Select Committee February 2010
The Prime Minister has made it clear that 2010 is the year in which he wants to make a difference, particularly in respect to economic growth.
With a mandate to support New Zealand businesses internationally, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is positioned to help deliver on that commitment.
When we appeared before this Select Committee in April 2009 we were still reflecting on our success at the World Trade Promotion Awards. Our advice continues to be sought by other economic development and trade promotion agencies worldwide.
We remain focused on building and improving our international connections, the business capability of New Zealand firms and improving the environment for enterprise and growth.
Our work is underpinned by the Government’s focus on increasing productivity, innovation and international performance, and support for industries that are internationally competitive.
But we are conscious of the need for our strategic approach to be agile enough to meet the shifting needs of exporters in a fragile global economic environment.
In the past year we have continued to work hard to position NZTE as a recognised authority on international business.
We have used our international network to gather intelligence that is shared with businesses, with Ministers and with the policy agencies shaping the Government’s response to the downturn.
We have supplemented this with specific research around recession survival strategies.
On the basis of this information we have directed our efforts where we can make the biggest difference to the New Zealand economy.
We have reorganised our business groups to ensure that we are focused on the needs of the companies we work with and that we perform as efficiently as possible.
Ten months ago we discussed with you our intention to alter our funding programmes. That work has been completed and we are now in a position to invest, as part of a wider support package, in New Zealand businesses that are most likely to succeed internationally in the short to medium term and contribute to New Zealand’s long-term economic growth.
We are also working towards being much more flexible with our products and services and to offer businesses solutions tailored to the level of their international business engagement.
Other New Zealand businesses may come into contact with us on a more occasional basis through our Business Services Team, our regional network, or by accessing the self-service material we provide on our New Zealand business website.
We have built strategic relationships with other business organisations including Business New Zealand, Export New Zealand, regional economic development agencies and chambers of commerce, to ensure the right mix of programmes and services are available for businesses as at all levels.
In recent months we have been closely involved in the discussions with the Ministry of Economic Development, Treasury and other government agencies in the preparation of the Government’s Economic Growth Agenda.
NZTE has provided input based on our own experience and expertise and what we know from what businesses have told us in the past 12 months.
We are also working more collectively with other government agencies in support of exporters. Businesses have confirmed that they see NZTE taking a leadership role in this space to coordinate government support to exporters.
We have agreed with the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology that we will share information about the companies we both work with and coordinate our efforts to grow these companies.
We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to make the best use of our combined international resources on trade access, developing networks, and gathering economic information.
We are working with our counterparts at Austrade where there is opportunity for New Zealand Australia to work together to compete in other markets.
In December NZTE’s founding Chief Executive Tim Gibson departed to pursue other business interests. The international recruitment process for a new Chief Executive is well underway. Applications closed late January. Candidates of a suitable calibre will be short listed and interviews with a panel of Board members will be held in early March.
We are proud of what NZTE has achieved, but we are focused on what still needs to be done.
We have several high profile opportunities to plan for, including New Zealand’s presence at the Shanghai Expo 2010 in China and the Rugby World Cup here in New Zealand in 2011.
Our role in preparing and supporting businesses to take advantage of these events, and the opportunities they present, will be significant.
We are beginning to see some confidence and resilience returning to the New Zealand business scene. However, international markets continue to present a much tougher environment for New Zealand businesses than in recent years.
Now more than ever, the role of NZTE is crucial in supporting New Zealand firms doing business internationally.
Distributed by Jennifer Andrewes, NZTE, phone +64 4 931 6144, mobile +64 27 228 0261, or email jennifer.andrewes@nzte.govt.nz
