Export Year package backs proven winner

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

Export Year package backs proven winner

The extra $33.75 million announced today for exporting is a welcome commitment from Government to Export Year 2007, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

Just as valuable will be the added focus planned for educating New Zealanders on the importance of exporting, said Bruce Goldsworthy, EMA's Manager of Advocacy and Manufacturing Services.

"The Market Development scheme was heavily oversubscribed; it hasn't been able to keep up with demand so it's pleasing to see the government working at putting this right.

"Export Year should be for New Zealanders to celebrate how we pay our way in the world, but a lot of the package is business as usual.

"Nevertheless it will be successful if our political leaders put their mouths where they are putting our money by seizing every chance to talk up the importance of exporting.

"For years New Zealand has been a world leader for setting the rules by which international trade should take place but we have never learned to play the trade game very well - hopefully today's package will start to remedy that."

ENDS

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