14 October 2008
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) today (Monday night in the Netherlands) has been awarded the World Trade Promotion Organization’s “Best of the Best” Award at the World Trade Promotion Organization Awards 2008.
NZTE also received the “Best Trade Promotion Organization from a Developed Country” Award. Shortlisted in the same category were trade promotion organisations (TPOs) from Australia, Austria and the United Kingdom.
NZTE Chief Executive Tim Gibson said the World Trade Promotion Organization win “puts New Zealand on the map as having a world leading economic development agency”.
This will have a number of benefits for New Zealand, he said, including boosting the image of New Zealand and its economy among key international decision makers, particularly investors.
“The award is also recognition of the quality of New Zealand businesses and business people, as a number of the programmes NZTE highlighted in its entry are partnerships with private enterprise.”
Mr Gibson said the TPO award is significant as NZTE is an integrated economic development agency, with trade promotion as part of its brief alongside work in building business capability and investment.
“That we have been recognised by the TPO award is further evidence that the integrated model, in which we are pioneers, is becoming the benchmark for others.”
He said the endorsement of the award would encourage other TPOs to work with NZTE. “It’s also recognition of the effort, and often ground breaking work, NZTE staff have put in over the past five years.”
The World Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) Awards are held every two years. They recognise five of the best performing TPOs ― from the poorest countries to the most advanced ― for their success in increasing exports and contributing to their national economic growth.
The awards were presented at a function held on Monday evening (in the Netherlands), at the 7th Conference of TPOs held in The Hague from 13 to 14 October. The conference is exploring some of the key issues facing TPOs to remain competitive in the changing international marketplace.
Editor’s note:
Tim Gibson is flying back to New Zealand on Wednesday (New Zealand time). He will not be available for interviews in New Zealand until Thursday 16 October.
Websites:
International Trade Centre
www.intracen.org
World Trade Promotion Organization
www.tpo-net.com/en
