As the end of 2017 draws near, there are plenty of reasons to be forward-thinking right now. The results of the ExprtNZ DHL Export Barometer have shed light on the true state of Kiwi exporters' expectations and where they need help - including where the new Government could be most effective.

Speaking of which, the outcomes from the trip to Vietnam of Prime Minister Ardern, Trade Minister David Parker and the MFAT negotiating team are discussed in this month's trade update - see below. 

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

In this month's Trade Update: the TPP has emerged from Da Nang with a new name: the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. However it's not just a new name, but a new Agreement, and it will need to be ratified afresh. 

New Trade Minister David Parker, Prime Minister Ardern and the MFAT negotiating team did well in Da Nang and New Zealand’s reputation has emerged enhanced.  Before the meeting there were some who worried that the positions taken by the new Government might de-stabilise the overall negotiation.  This was not the case.  Parker and team were there to find workable solutions and they did.

There will now be strong pressure to wrap up the four outstanding issues and get the Agreement signed early next year. More...

The recently released ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer shows Kiwi exporters are feeling confident and expecting orders to increase in the next twelve months.

Optimism is very positive with 71% of New Zealand exporters expecting international orders to increase – this is a jump from 63% in 2016.

The research shows that overall 2017 has been a good year, with just over half (55%) of exporters achieving an increase in international orders.

While the survey was carried out prior to the NZ election, ongoing political support for the export environment will be crucial to ensure Kiwi businesses achieve the perceived upcoming boost to orders. 

See full report here...

MPI is hosting the 2017 Food and Fibre Innovation Conference, themed "Innovation – from Vision to Action" on 30 November at the TSB Bank Arena, Wellington.

Innovation is vital for Kiwi exporters to remain internationally competitive. This conference will focus on how a business engages in innovation across its supply chain, from using inputs through to how products are processed, packaged, distributed and consumed.

There will be an outstanding line-up of speakers from New Zealand and overseas to share their expert perspectives and practical know-how on important areas...

Click here for more info and to register >>

An insightful article from Dr Eldrede Kahiya
- Programme Director for the Master of Global Management and Master of Global Marketing at Victoria University of Wellington’s Business School - looking at the impacts the new government could have on NZ's exports, which have been flatlining for years...

New Zealand’s ratio of exports to gross domestic product (GDP) peaked at 36 percent in 2000 before dipping to just below 30 percent, three years later. It has largely flat-lined ever since.

There was as much concern 10 years ago as there is today regarding slow export growth. To their credit, successive governments have attempted to jump-start exports. More...

A wound-healing gel developed by Kiwi scientists has been cleared for use by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The gel, developed by NZ medical science company Chitogel and involving University of Otago scientists, will be used after endoscopic sinus surgery to reduce bleeding and almost entirely eliminate scarring.

Placing the dissolvable clear gel dressing within the sinus cavity after surgery would replace the need for uncomfortable gauze bandages to be inserted to stop bleeding, thereby improving a patient's post-surgical recovery experience.

Those post-operative complications lead to about 15 per cent of the operations being repeated but the gel could significantly reduce that. More...

TIN200 exports grew by 5.3% in Asia in the 2017 financial year. This market now contributes $0.52B of total TIN200 offshore revenues. China’s strong GDP has particularly benefited our High-tech Manufacturing companies, with this primary sector growing by 42.4% in Asia in the past year. Investment in TIN companies by Asian venture capitalists is also on the rise - eg the funding of Postr Media by a number of Singaporean investors.

At the October TIN Report Launch event at the NZX offices in Wellington, Pukeko Pictures’ CEO Clive Spink, and Postr COO Roger Shakes, talked about the inroads that their respective digital media companies are making into the Asian market. More...

Chloe Van Dyke, founder of Nelson-based health drinks manufacturer CHIA, offers her experience-based advice on entering the Australian market.

Australia is different from New Zealand, and every state in Australia is unique and needs to be treated as such. So we spent time in Australia, walking the streets and getting to know our potential customers.

We explored the different channels to market and decided we would start with independent supermarkets, health food stores and cafes.

We discovered that independent supermarkets and health food stores in Australia are gaining market share from larger supermarkets, as people become more focused on healthy and local products. More...

The University of Auckland Innovation Institute in Hangzhou will host its inaugural Ideas to Life conference this December, in partnership with Zhejiang University - featuring a pre-conference commercialisation and investor session for New Zealand high-tech startups, and keynote presentations from world-class innovation experts across both academia and private industry.

Read more and register at the conference website here...

Many business owners are keen to sell their business.  Around 10% of business owners want to retire within the next year and want to get the best price possible for their business.  How can you get your business ready for sale? 

Xero’s report Succession Planning gives helpful hints and a webinar on what a business sale should look like. More...

There are some great opportunities for improving your business through learnings at seminars, workshops and events.

To see what's coming up, go to the ExportNZ home page and scroll down to see what's happening around the country.

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