More needed from renewed Business Growth Agenda

Media statement Monday, 15 September 2014

More needed from renewed Business Growth Agenda

The 10 things listed today for the next phase of the Government's Business Growth Agenda are great as far as they go but they don't really go far enough fast enough, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says.

"The Business Growth Agenda is widely appreciated by New Zealand business and the new list builds on this important platform for growth," said Kim Campbell, EMA's chief executive.

"It's a good start but we hope more is on the way.
"We look forward to seeing the tax system for SMEs simplified, the delivery of more industry relevant skills, and further reform of the RMA.

"The changes in the pipeline for Employment Relations are simply essential.

"The signal on investment in business R&D is vital. Internationally its agreed that innovation, science and R&D can be transformative, and are fundamental drivers of productivity and economic growth, as well as providing the other benefits.

"If we are to extract increasing value from our primary resources, and the challenges set by them and our environment, we need to invest far more in science and R&D.

"In this area we have been well off the pace for decades with a lot of catch up to do even with the government's laudable increases in investment in science over recent years.

"Also our exporters need a more active business plan to complement the focus on developing further free trade agreements.

"In all, business wants to see more ambition evident in our future government's plan for growth."

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