11 July 2006

Export Year Business Champion A Positive Step

New Zealand First is satisfied that the Government's appointment of Ken Stevens as Business Champion for Export Year 07 marks a positive step towards bolstering our export capacity.

"Mr Stevens’ credentials speak for themselves, but more importantly he represents a vital cog in the multi-faceted approach that will be required to make Export Year 2007 a lasting success – and that cog is significant input from the business community,” said Economic Development spokesperson Doug Woolerton.

"There is only so much that government agencies and government policy can do in this regard. It must ultimately be business which picks up the reins of Export Year 2007 and translates the Government's initiative into tangible success.

“There must be synergy between the Government's efforts and those of business. Mr Stevens represents the type of business leader we want leading this charge.

“New Zealand First insisted on an Export Year as part of its Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Government because we believe that export growth is the key to sustainable economic growth and higher standards of living. With business leaders of the caliber of Mr Stevens on board, we can now be increasingly confident that this initiative will deliver the outcomes we expect.

"New Zealand First has always been a party of solutions and this is just another example of our party making a difference where it counts,” concluded Mr Woolerton.

ENDS

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