The agency’s Chair, Andrew Ferrier, and Chief Executive, Peter Chrisp, recently appeared before the Select Committee for Economic Development, Science and Innovation.
“I certainly don’t need to tell you all that it has been a tough and challenging year, but it also has been a year of opportunity," said Ferrier. “We have been part of the Government’s Trade Recovery Strategy, along with MFAT, MPI, MBIE, Regional Business Partners and other key government departments and agencies. This has been the most comprehensive NZ Inc effort that we have ever been involved with.
“Within this broader effort, our focus at NZTE has been to do everything we can to support exporters to stay connected to international markets, through the most turbulent time that any of us can remember.”
Chrisp detailed NZTE’s use of an extra $216 million over the next four years, allocated as part of the Government’s Trade Recovery Strategy. He said the additional funds were focused on three areas.
“First, Intensity, which means we have doubled the number of high focus export companies, who receive the most intense services, from 700 to 1400.
“Secondly, Reach, whereby we support all of New Zealand’s 12,000 export companies. We have done this by launching our new digital portal – myNZTE; by developing digital training and coaching; by ramping up access to private-sector advisers; and by significantly increasing the investment in the Regional Business Partner voucher system, with more than 11,000 companies receiving these services.
“And, thirdly, Scale, which has meant employing 37 more people to support customers directly, most of them in overseas posts, to help exporters when they can’t travel to market themselves. We have also increased the amount of co-investment with companies by doubling the International Growth Fund, to a total of $60 million available to be approved this year.
“In each of these areas, we have a particular focus on supporting Māori companies and investors, and have continued to grow and develop our internal Maori Team, Te Pora Maori.”
Source: https://exportertoday.co.nz/
