Creating a positive business environment

Creating a positive business environment key to New Zealand lifting its international results

The growing gap between New Zealand and Australia on the world competitiveness ladder should be a huge wake up call to both the Government and the business community.

Michael Barnett, Chamber of Commerce CEO was commenting on the latest IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook rankings showing New Zealand standing still in 16th place and Australia up from 7th into 4th spot behind Canada, Singapore and at number one, the United States.

“The survey details show very clearly that we need a two-pronged action plan,” he said.

“Firstly, we need to tidy up our act internally – by addressing major infrastructure problems, reducing compliance costs, and offering attractive tax and other incentives that will encourage new investment and businesses to locate and stay in New Zealand.
“Secondly, we need to go out to the world and sell New Zealand as a great place to invest, locate a business, live and work.”

Australia has spent the last 15 years fixing its transport infrastructure in key cities and encouraging private enterprise involvement; a Ministry of Small Business that targets reducing compliance costs, and it has an international campaign to market Australia as great place to be.

“Clearly, Australia is attracting many businesses and young talented New Zealanders across the Tasman. These results are another painful reality check – no one owes us a free ride to a better future; we must build our own future.

“I say, let’s start small by acknowledging the huge innovative talents of our thousands of SMEs and encouraging them to build and grow into medium and big businesses.”

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