Industry Prepare to Unite at National Summit

MEDIA RELEASE
20 February 2007

Natural Products Industry Prepare to Unite at National Summit

Leaders in the natural health industry will converge on Nelson on Thursday to discuss innovation, globalisation and the future of the industry.

The Annual Natural Products New Zealand (NPNZ) Summit, to be opened by Hon Pete Hodgson, will attract representatives from nutraceutical, complementary medicines, dietary supplement, functional foods and cosmetics companies who want to learn how to grow successful companies.

More than 70 companies and 100 delegates are expected to attend the event, hosted by Natural Products NZ and sponsored by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE).

Those attending are natural health specialists, contract manufacturers and industry brand leaders like Healtheries, Nutra-Life Health & Fitness, Blackmores, Lifestream and Thompsons as well as research organisations and government agencies.

Natural Products NZ Executive Director Michelle Beckett says this is an opportunity for representatives to unite, share knowledge and discuss issues of common ground.

“The Summit is now in its sixth year and keeps getting bigger and better with an exciting range of speakers talking on issues relevant to today’s marketplace. It is one of the most important events on the calendar for the natural products industry.”

A variety of experts are presenting, including:

o Rod Oram - Economist, commentator and international correspondent
New Zealand’s uneven environmental record impacts on the reputation of the
industry internationally.

o Pat English - NZTE China Market Manager
The potential of China as a customer, supplier and competitor of New
Zealand’s natural products industry.

o Patanjali Subramoni of Sabinsa Corporation, (manufacturer of synthetic and plant-derived products.)
‘Is India the new China’ : the tremendous opportunities to work together with
India’s technology, wealth of knowledge, research and cost effective
infrastructure.

o Dr Shaun Holt - Medical expert and Honorary Research Fellow @ Medical Research Institute
The development of pharmaceuticals from natural products and research
methodology.

o Dr Laurence Eyres - University of Auckland Food and Nutrition expert
Research into Nutrigenomics and Epigenetics and the scientific credibility of
bio-chemistry of natural products, focussing on healthy lipids and antioxidants.

The Summit will be followed by the inaugural Natural Products Industry Awards which will recognise outstanding leaders in the Industry.

ENDS

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