In this month's news: some great new online tools you can use, and an online marketplace summit coming up in June which promises to be a really valuable opportunity to learn the latest ideas from leading players in the online world.

The MPI's new online Export Market Requirements Map is a great tool for helping food exporters find the requirements of overseas markets. You can search for markets by name or click on an area of the map. 

Also there's a new ePing Alert service from the WTO - a free online service that provides businesses with up-to-date information on regulations and product requirements in export markets around the world.

Happy exporting!

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

It has been an incredibly active month in the trade policy arena. 

At one level a trade war looms between the US and China. Others such as the EU might get involved.  

At another our PM did great work in Paris, London and Berlin advancing our interest in the FTA with the EU and UK.  And we also had renewed talk of a FTA negotiation with Russia and the new ideas of a Commonwealth wide FTA and even one with North Korea.  Now that Deputy PM has caught the FTA bug it is spreading fast!  And back home the Government is trying to define what a progressive FTA agenda looks like. More...

GS1 NZ has partnered with BusinessNZ, ExportNZ and Retail NZ to bring you Connect 2018 - Online Marketplace Summit, offering a unique opportunity to learn the latest ideas from leading players in the online world. It's all happening on 27 June at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland.

Topics & Speakers include:

• Jump the curve: insights from 'now' and predictions for the future; eBay (USA) - Amit Menipaz, VP, Vertical Experiences & Platform
• ​Building a global business from our own backyard; Trade Me - Stuart McLean, Head of Marketplace
• Seek, find, enjoy. As New Zealand's largest online seller, Countdown have 20+ years worth of experience to share; Countdown - Sally Copland, Head of Online
• ​The big picture: How search, purchase and fulfillment integrate; GS1 Global Office (USA) - Robert Beideman, SVP, Solutions & Innovations.

Find out more here->>

Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Clare Curran has congratulated the New Zealand firm Tait Communications which has won the contract to install new technology on London’s transport network.

“Christchurch based Tait Communications has beaten out major manufacturers from around the world to do the work, worth around $30 million. It’s wonderful to see a New Zealand technology company being innovative and forward thinking to develop a resilient system for the UK capital,” Ms Curran says.

“Tait will manufacture and replace both the communications infrastructure providing coverage across Greater London and the terminal equipment on London’s fleet of almost 10,000 buses as they switch from analogue to digital communications. More...

Intellectual property rights will receive greater protection in China later this year with the expected passing of new legislation governing e-commerce.

Here, Johnathan Chen from the James & Wells Asia Division, and the Executive Board of the New Zealand China Trade Association, discusses what the changes mean for New Zealand businesses. More...

The Exporter Regulatory Advice Service at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has recently released a new online tool that can help food and beverage’ exporters.  It’s on the processed foods section of the MPI website, however the content pertains to most exporters who would operate under MPI’s frameworks (eg animal products, plant products etc).

The Export Market Requirements Map shows OMARs, ICPRs and FYI’s for each export market in one easy to find place. This interactive map is to help food exporters find the requirements of overseas markets. You can search for markets by name or click on an area of the map. Pop-up boxes will appear, containing links to the information you need.

As this tool is brand new, there may still be adjustments needed, so please do let us know if there is any feedback and we will pass it on to the MPI so they can keep improving it.

BusinessNZ says the Government's decision to ban new petroleum and gas exploration will have significant implications for New Zealand business.

BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope highlighted a number of issues facing New Zealand businesses, including rising costs, world market competitiveness and viability of investing.

"Many businesses will be affected by this ban, particularly those using gas. It will likely mean higher gas prices because of the restriction in supply, raising costs for enterprises that use gas for their operations," Hope said. Some exporters might find their products less competitive in world markets, he said. More...

"In the past, for reasons I try to explain, I’ve often felt I had to be careful in public, like I was up on a wire without a net. Now I’m letting my guard down." Hillary Rodham Clinton

Business NZ is delighted to partner with The Growth Faculty in bringing Former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton to New Zealand for the very first time.

Limited Tickets - Book Now

Free from the constraints of running, Secretary Clinton will share the intense personal experience of becoming the first woman nominated for president by a major party in an election marked by rage, sexism, exhilarating highs and infuriating lows, stranger-than-fiction twists, Russian interference, and an opponent who broke all the rules.

From lawyer and activist, to first lady, senator, secretary of state and presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton’s extraordinary career and story of resilience is one that fascinates and inspires business leaders and people everywhere.

Don't miss one incredible evening with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Auckland - 7th May 2018

Book here now->>

Entries are open to the 2018 Zespri Bay of Plenty ExportNZ Awards for export businesses based in the region.

The ExportNZ awards programme shares the inspirational stories of Kiwi exporters highlighting the ingenuity, innovation and sales achievements of the Bay of Plenty's export sector. Awards categories:

• Best Emerging Business - sponsored by YOU Travel
• Best Medium to Large Business - sponsored by Sharp Tudhope Lawyers
• Excellence in Innovation - sponsored by Page Macrae Engineering
• Export Achievement - sponsored by Beca
• Service to Export (for an individual's exemplary services to export)

Find out more, buy tickets or enter the awards here->>

Who would have thought that a natural product used centuries ago by indigenous people is now being used as a powerful ingredient in ‘functional food’, to combat the stresses, strains and ailments of our modern world?

Customers around the world are going mad for a nutritional product that’s been scientifically proven to help, not just with preserving one’s youth and vitality, but with more serious conditions such as brain injury, dementia or ADHD. It’s all from the benefits of a naturally occurring substance – tree bark. More...

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) notification emails have changed. You are now able to receive TBT notifications direct from the WTO, and the Standards New Zealand TBT emails have been discontinued.

The new email system is called ePing Alert. It is a free online web service that provides businesses and government agencies with up-to-date information on regulations and product requirements in export markets around the world.

ePing Alert allows users to easily track regulations for different products or export markets, and to search manually to locate then analyse existing regulations.

You can sign-up for ePing Alerts and download the ePing User Guide here->>

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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