Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

Small Business Council getting down to work

9 November 2018

The creation of a small business strategy will take a step forward in coming weeks as the Small Business Council sharpens its focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference to the long term development of the sector.

The Council, formed in August to advise the government on strategic opportunities for improving the performance of the sector, met for the fourth time in Auckland this week

(7 November).

The Council has identified four key themes to focus on in the development of a strategy that needs to provide real solutions and support for small businesses in the future.

Small Business Council Chair Tenby Powell says issues around capital and access to finance, management capability and workforce, compliance and enablers, and innovation and sustainability have been identified as priority work areas.

“The Council has covered a lot of ground in the weeks since its formation,” Mr Powell said.

“We’ve taken a bird’s-eye look at the current landscape and the issues small businesses are facing. We have heard from a range of government agencies, businesses and stakeholders like the Tax Working Group, Xero and the Treasury and we have confirmed how the Living Standards Framework will be applied in our work.

“We are now increasing our focus on how small businesses can be better supported to thrive in a future where the changing nature of global trade, rapid development in technology, and changing Government priorities will make for a different operating environment.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Smaller firms make up 97 per cent of all businesses and employ over 600,000 people, and play an incredibly important role in New Zealand’s economy.

“Supporting improvements to the environment in which businesses operate will have a direct impact on those who run them, including their families, their local communities, and the wider New Zealand economy. We will now be looking to engage with small businesses and other stakeholders as our work progresses,” Mr Powell said.

Mr Powell said the Council welcomed the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council’s commitment to SMEs as well.

“It’s great to see the Business Advisory Council recognises the importance of the SME sector and we look forward to both councils working collaboratively to support our small businesses to thrive.”

The Small Business Council has been convened for one year and will report back to the Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash with a future-focused small business strategy to inform Government policy and initiatives.

It will report its findings in August 2019.

[ends]

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.