Export credit hurry up welcomed

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) is encouraged by the close attention the Prime Minister is paying to the establishment of the export credit scheme.

"Exporters have been asking Government for years to set up a new export credit scheme," said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"So we cheered when we read in the Independent today that the Prime Minister was giving Trade New Zealand the hurry up over it.

"It's a little disappointing they are taking so long to get the scheme up and running as Trade New Zealand too has been expressed enthusiasm for such a scheme for years.

"It was also a pre election pledge that Pete Hodgson promised, initially for a Budget announcement.

"Smaller exporters in particular need state backing of this sort, so we are pleased this type of underwriting will again become available.

"Good on Prime Minister Helen Clark for climbing into Trade New Zealand over this; we invite her to get more involved in other business issues as well, starting perhaps with the tax treatment of R&D.

("And our congratulations to the PM at this time have nothing to do with our invitation to her to open our conference next month.")

Further comments: Alasdair Thompson tel 09 367 0911 (bus) 09 303 3951 (hme) 025 982 024

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