Business NZ - Boosting exports

Media release 17/4/07 Boosting exports

Business NZ sets out key steps to boost export performance in its new publication being launched tomorrow.

Export Perspectives celebrates New Zealand’s transformation from Britain’s ‘colonial farm’ into a global trader of a wide range of goods and services.

As a contribution to Export Year, it also suggests actions for business and Government to improve connections to international markets and increase the value we add to our exports.

These include:

- Returning to a stable and light-handed regulatory environment. - Use flatter and lower taxes as a basis of competitive advantage. - Limiting Government spending, with a recommended cap at 30 per cent of GDP. - Minimising compliance costs: Suggestions include introducing a Regulatory Responsibility Act, sunset clauses in all new regulations and independent regulatory reviews.

Business NZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly says New Zealand’s economy is too small to generate rapid growth without strong export performance.

“Our challenge is to grow exports as a proportion of GDP. It’s the only way to grow the economy and improve living standards.”

Export Perspectives also calls for the expansion of the offshore assistance programmes provided by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Within the education system, Business NZ recommends increasing internationalisation — building foreign language and cultural courses into business programmes and promoting student exchange programmes and stronger relationships with tertiary institutions in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

It says the Government should keep pursuing commitment to bilateral and multilateral trade liberalisation and resist the new protectionism typified by novelties such as food miles.

Export Perspectives is based on information and views made available by businesses belonging to Business NZ’s major regional organisations EMA Northern, EMA Central, the Canterbury Employers’Chamber of Commerce and the Otago-Southland Employers’ Association.

ENDS

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