Export Facilitator For Northland

Northland businesses will soon have a helping hand to develop their ability and capacity to export with the appointment of a specialist Export Facilitator, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters.

"This newly created position is just one initiative born out of the Northland Export Year 2007 Regional Plan. While acknowledging that different regions in New Zealand have differing priorities, resources and capabilities, this initiative has been created by business organisations in Northland to specifically help meet the needs of exporters in the region," Mr Peters said.

"The new part-time Export Facilitator for Northland will provide education and support to existing Northland exporters and to other companies wanting to grow their businesses by operating in offshore markets.

"Other Export Year events in the region include introductory enterprise training courses in Whangarei and Kerikeri for first-time exporters and ongoing targeted training programmes in Whangarei, Kaipara, Kerikeri and Kaitaia for current exporters. A mentoring programme is also underway to team current exporters with up-and-coming exporters.

"The Northland Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Northland, Regional Export Champions Group and Enterprise Training will be working closely with the facilitator to provide targeted assistance to companies and ensure Northland exporters are both aware of, and have access to, funding such as economic development and market development grants.

"Small-to-medium sized enterprises are at the heart of Export Year 2007. There are more than 340,000 SMEs in New Zealand but only 12,900 of them export. We need to increase the number and quality of these companies operating globally if we are to improve New Zealand's economic performance.

"It is pleasing to see such a wide variety of economic development agencies working together to embrace Export Year 2007 objectives and improve their regional economic performance," said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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