Go Global A Universal Success

For Immediate Release
27 February 2004

GO GLOBAL A UNIVERSAL SUCCESS

Taking on the world just got a little bit easier for hundreds of New Zealand's exporters. Facing a challenging international environment, they gathered today at the Auckland Town Hall for the Employers and Manufacturers Association's GO GLOBAL summit, to hear the secrets of international success from many of the country's leading trade experts.

Today's summit commenced with former WTO Director General Mike Moore discussing, via video link from London, the international perception of Kiwi exports and the enormous potential of global free to stimulate the world's economy. Liberalised trade could add the equivalent of China's current GDP to the world's total GDP.

Chairman of The Ice House, David Irving, provided a snapshot of New Zealand exporters today based on a study of 250 companies. Other than foreign exchange, the research showed key obstacles to export growth include lack of market knowledge and lack of capital for market entry and increasing production. Despite these obstacles most businesses are keen to export and confident about their ability to sell overseas.

The EMA's GO GLOBAL summit comes at a challenging time for New Zealand's exporting community.

As chief executive of the Employers & Manufacturers Association Northern, Alasdair Thompson said today, "challenges to our trade competitiveness are coming thick and fast, led not least by the fluctuating currency and the Australian-US free trade deal. Yet opportunities also exist and today has given our younger exporters the chance to learn from some very experienced and savvy exporters how to make the most of them.

"In a highly competitive international marketplace New Zealand's clean, green image is a strategic advantage. We have many innovative brands taking on the world's best and succeeding. GO GLOBAL has been a great opportunity for Kiwi exporters to see these successes and learn how to replicate them.

"The EMA invests in events such as GO GLOBAL and last year's Innovation Voyage because we believe that innovation and exporting are critical to New Zealand's growth. There are valuable lessons to be learned from the successes and failures of many of our leading exporters - lessons that can help New Zealand businesses, and the New Zealand economy, grow through international trade."

ENDS

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