Economic Value of Small Business Highlighted

Economic Value of Small Business Highlighted

Small business is invaluable to the New Zealand economy and the Government's vision for the sector will be highlighted at a seminar in Auckland next week.

Minister for Small Business John Tamihere will be the guest speaker at the event, which will also give SME operators an opportunity to discuss other issues affecting them.

Hosted by the Small Business Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand (SEAANZ) the seminar will be held at AUT's Technology Park in Penrose, fittingly the home of business innovation and the business incubator programme.

"Technology Park is a Research and Commercialisation environment which produces, develops and commercialises new technologies. The Park contains a number of AUT University Research Groups and a Business Incubator which aims to accelerate SME business growth by providing a physical and IT infrastructure alongside collaborative and structured business mentoring, and investment readiness preparation," says Barbara Myers, Associate Dean - Business Academic Groups, AUT Business Faculty.

Rosemarie Dawson, SEAANZ Honorary Secretary/Registrar says that the seminars are a networking opportunity for small business operators and a chance for them to share information about issues affecting SMEs.

"There is a lot happening in the small business arena at the moment and Mr Tamihere's attendance will be very timely and useful."

The high economic value of small business is highlighted in figures showing that small business growth outperformed the rest of the economy in a healthy June quarter for the sector.

The figures, published in the National Bank's Small Business Monitor, show that the small business sector grew 1.4 per cent in the three months to June 30, taking year-on-year growth to 5.5 per cent. This compares to growth in the economy as a whole of 0.2 per cent and growth for the year of 2.7 per cent.

Next week's seminar is one of a regular series throughout the year to help small businesses develop and grow.

SEAANZ's next events include a seminar entitled 'making your business work - so you don't have to!" on November 13 followed early next year by a roundtable discussion to share information about research.

The seminar is being held on Tuesday 28 October at 4.30pm in the Conference Centre at AUT Technology Park, Penrose. If you want to attend please email seminars@seaanz.org.nz Media are welcome to attend.

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