Niche Export Specialist Appointed To Trade Commissioner Role, Vancouver

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has appointed Anne Chappaz as Trade Commissioner to Canada, based in Vancouver.

Ms Chappaz will also fulfil the honourary role of Consul General.

Ms Chappaz, who is bilingual (French and English), has worked for Trade New Zealand in Auckland for three years, as the agency’s sector specialist for the apparel and textiles sectors. Her work involved co-ordinating a network of apparel specialists in Trade New Zealand’s overseas offices, developing export strategies for exporters, liasing with international buyers and educating clients about exporting issues. Ms Chappaz also ran the agency’s involvement in the successful L’Oreal New Zealand Fashion Week, which generates millions of export sales each year.

Previously Ms Chappaz, who was born in Wellington, has worked in a number of export industries, both in New Zealand and France. In France her work included exporting caving and mountaineering equipment, as well as electronics and electrical equipment. Upon her return to New Zealand in 1997 she worked in the furniture sector for Criterion Manufacturing.

Ms Chappaz says Canada, which is New Zealand’s 10th largest trading partner, was worth over $603 million in export sales in the year to May 2003 and should definitely be on exporters' radars.

“Canada offers a market that is accessible to New Zealand exporters because of its manageable size and cultural and economic characteristics that we share,” Ms Chappaz says.

“A wide range of export opportunities exist, but in particular, I will be working with NZTE’s team in Canada to identify and nurture prospects for NZ exporters in niche sectors with high growth potential, as NZTE has identified that it is these sectors where the most opportunities in Canada lie.”

Ms Chappaz, who has taken up her position this month, will oversee a staff of five across two offices – one in Vancouver, and one in Toronto. She says she is looking forward to her responsibility of working as the “eyes and ears” for New Zealand exporters on the ground in Canada.

“In recent years we have all seen that global economic environment is changing, often in an unpredictable way. The effect of the recent BSE and SARS scares in Canada is an example of this rapid change. As an official I will work to understand and communicate the ways in which these changes present new opportunities and new threats for the New Zealand business community.”

Ms Chappaz has a Masters (Geogrpahy) from the University of Auckland and a Masters (English) from a university in France. Ms Chappaz replaces Tony O’Brien, who has been appointed as Senior Trade Commissioner to Europe, based in London (refer additional appointment notice).

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