Six Students to represent NZ at FedEx/JA Trade Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Six Students Selected to Represent New Zealand at the 2013 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge Asia Pacific Final in Hong Kong

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 17, 2013 – After an intense competition, FedEx and the Young Enterprise Trust are pleased to announce the final team of very impressive young Kiwis who will be competing against the eight other Asia Pacific countries and their 48 representatives in Hong Kong in just over two months’ time.

The New Zealand representatives are:
1. Loren McCarthy (17yrs) from Tauranga Girls’ High School, Tauranga.
2. James Rankin (17yrs) from Westlake Boys’ High School, Auckland.
3. Samantha Scott (17yrs) from Taradale High School, Napier.
4. Darren Ritchie (17yrs) from Mount Hutt College, Canterbury.
5. James Pearce (16yrs) from Westlake Boys’ High School, Auckland.
6. Emily Vriens (17yrs) from Orewa College, Auckland.

Eighty students, aged between 16-18 years, took part in the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC) and were tasked to develop a market entry strategy plan to launch an apple based product into Australia.

Business proposals ranged from an apple based surf wax, a two in one cream that is a sunscreen and insect repellent, an apple butter that is ideal for allergy sufferers, an organic apple toothpaste that acts a natural bleach with vitamin C, an apple root stock that is a pre-grown quality apple root system designed to support a multitude of stone and pip fruit, to a supplement made from apple skins that has huge health benefits claiming you will live 10 years longer.
The students were judged on their market-entry strategies detailing marketing, promotion, pricing, inventory and product distribution plans.
Lee Davies, FedEx country manager, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, and one of the judges, said the quality of talent this year was exceptionally high with some great innovative ideas.
“Devising a marketing strategy in only a few hours is a tough challenge and we were really impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm demonstrated by the students. The winning six students selected showed a great understanding of economic and business concepts, and entrepreneurship skills. We have high hopes for them representing New Zealand at the Asia Pacific final in late August.”

Sponsored by FedEx Express and organized by Young Enterprise Trust, the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge is designed to help students in Asia Pacific markets learn about international trade and provide them with an opportunity to set up a mock business and develop a plan to export a product to an overseas market.

“New Zealand has produced many entrepreneurs who created successful global brands, and the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge aims to support that tradition by providing a platform for next generation to learn about international trade and prepare them to compete on a global level,” said Kim Garner, managing director, FedEx Australasia.

“FedEx strongly believes that global trade drives economic growth and job development,” Garner continued. “We also believe that it is important to educate young people on global trade and how it impacts lives, communities and countries. This is why we are passionate about the FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge as it allows students to gain first-hand experience of global trade and develop skills in the areas of competition, teamwork, risk-taking and self-confidence.”

Before heading to Hong Kong, the six representatives will participate in a two-day training workshop in early August at the FedEx facility in Auckland to prepare them for the Asia-Pacific regional final later that month.

The International Trade Challenge is in its seventh year in Asia Pacific and this is the fifth year FedEx is sponsoring the program in New Zealand. The FedEx-sponsored Challenge has provided over 9,000 students in nine Asia Pacific countries, including 306 students from schools throughout New Zealand, with invaluable insight into global trade.

Key dates Enterprise in Action and FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge:
Stage 1, 15-17 June 80 NZ students compete in regional heat at Massey University Albany, Auckland
Stage 2, 3-4 August Team NZ attends a two-day workshop in Auckland to hone their skills for the FedEx ITC Asia Pacific Final
Stage 3, 19-21 August Team of six represent NZ in Hong Kong at the FedEx Asia Pacific finals

About Young Enterprise Trust and Global Enterprise Challenge
Young Enterprise Trust has been working with schools throughout New Zealand for over 30 years. It has a range of enterprise education programmes and financial literacy resources available for students of all ages. The Trust is a registered charity and in 2012 connected with more than 50,000 students.
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