Wellington Business Welcomes Super Ministry

15 March 2012

Wellington Business Welcomes Super Ministry

The Wellington Employers’ Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the creation of the new super ministry, as announced by the Prime Minister today. It has also welcomed the government’s renewed focus on exports highlighted in a separate speech this afternoon.

“A single, dedicated ministry of business, innovation and employment will provide a single point of call for business. Its particular focus on the needs of business is very positive.

“It is important that the government continuously strives to make efficiencies in its operations and the new Ministry as well as the cap on core government jobs will enable it to do that.

“While cutting out duplication is important, we hope the changes will be managed carefully given the potential impact on the Wellington workforce and economy.

“There is no doubt there are some difficult adjustment costs in the short term that the government needs to be cognisant of as these changes are made. In the longer term, however, we see the changes as being good for Wellington.

“This city needs more private sector activity and there is good evidence that the retrenchment of the government sector is freeing up skilled labour for businesses to employ.

“As well as a broader business base, Wellington needs to focus more on exports and this theme was echoed in another key Ministerial speech today from Trade Minister Tim Groser.

“His focus on the emergence of China as a trade partner and the significance of services exports is right in line with ours.

“There is a lot of potential for Wellington business to exploit its expertise in commercial services and expand our markets through exporting,” Mr Stone concluded.

ENDS

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