The 2018 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer was released this morning.

One of the most outstanding findings from this year's survey is that the number one barrier to exporting is concern over increasing costs in New Zealand due to the coming industrial regulation. Results show this is a major barrier for 32% of Kiwi exporters.

This is a change from last year, when 42% of Kiwi exporters cited "strength of competition in overseas markets" as the number one barrier. However, this has seen an 18 percentage point decline.

Meanwhile, foreign exchange management as a barrier has jumped from just 6% last year to 17% this year.

Such results illustrate how useful the ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer is for gauging movement in the export landscape, and highlighting where exporters need the most help. More on this below...

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

In this month's trade update: good news on CPTPP and RCEP, forward movement on the Pacific Alliance negotiations, still trying for a breakthrough with the US on our aluminium exports, and news from Ottawa on WTO reform.

With New Zealand and Canada having ratified the CPTPP Agreement late last week we are now just one member away from the agreement coming into force.  If all goes well Australia might ratify this week.  This would mean that CPTPP will be in force by early January 2019. More...

The 2018 ExportNZ DHL Export Barometer released today shows that despite a rapidly changing global marketplace, Kiwi exporters still remain confident and are handling the pace of change.

While the Kiwi export sector remains strong, exporters should prepare for any challenges ahead, particularly in the face of escalating tensions related to international trade and protectionist measures.

• More than 50% of exporters have seen international orders increase over the last 12 months, and 60% of them remain optimistic that international orders will increase in the next 12 months.
• Australia continues to dominate as the top export destination.
• Increasing costs from industrial regulation and currency fluctuation seen as biggest concern for exporters.
• Online marketing and e-commerce opportunities remain as untapped potential. More...

The red meat sector has welcomed the ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).  New Zealand is now the fourth country to complete its domestic ratification process, along with Mexico, Singapore, and Japan.

The agreement required at least six of the 11 member countries to ratify the agreement before it could come into force.

Once the CPTPP came into force, it would be one of the largest free trade agreements in the world, and would present massive opportunities for the New Zealand sheep and beef sector given its export focus, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor said.

New Zealand's sheep and beef sector exports approximately 90% of its production, totalling $9.3billion for the 2017/18 season More...

The New Zealand dollar has taken a dive against the greenback and will continue to fall to levels not seen since the global financial crisis, ANZ predicts.

ANZ senior macro strategist Phil Borkin recetly said it was the first time the New Zealand dollar had threatened to fall below 64 US cents since 2015 - and the bank's view was that there are more falls to come. The last time the NZ dollar hit such levels was around 2009 "when we were right in the depths of the financial crisis", Borkin said.

"The currency is at these levels because the US dollar is so strong and that's quite a different dynamic to 2008-09 when the New Zealand economy was in recession," Borkin said.

A low New Zealand dollar can be positive news for our exporters because it makes our goods cheaper for overseas customers to buy. More...

The following joint statement regarding the Ottawa Ministerial on WTO Reform has been released by leading business associations in Canada, Europe, Japan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

“By opening markets, reducing trade and investment barriers and establishing fair and predictable trade rules, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has helped bring about an enormous expansion in global trade and prosperity. Countless jobs and industries in nearly every country around the world depend on the assurances provided by a rules- based global trading system.

“Nevertheless, after 23 years the WTO is badly in need of an update to reflect the realities of a changing global economy and the evolving needs and expectations of our citizens. More...

New Zealand natural products exporters and entrepreneurs have an opportunity to gain insights to give them the inside running into the US market at an Enterprise Bootcamp on 13-14 November, 2018.

The two-day training event, featuring Stonyfield Farm founder Gary Hirshberg and a number of his internationally-renowned colleagues is being brought to New Zealand by Buy Pure New Zealand, NZTE and ANZ.

Buy Pure Managing Director Brendan Hoare says gaining access to expertise of the likes of Hirshberg is incredibly valuable for New Zealand producers, exporters and entrepreneurs seeking to gain an insight into the world’s largest and fastest growing certified organic and natural market.

Registration and more information here->>

Seven banks, including HSBC and Banco Santander, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a global digital network in trade finance aiming at allowing cheaper and easier funding for corporates, a Santander manager said.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group ANZ, BNP Paribas, Citibank, Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank also agreed to join the digital trade information network expected to be operational by the third quarter of next year.

By linking corporates, suppliers and banks through a standardised digital platform, the network aims to lower costs as small and midsized companies will be able to submit and verify purchase orders and invoices to request trade financing from the banks of their choice. More...

During his years managing cocktail bars around the world, Joe Slater – now Managing Director of Six Barrel Soda Co – set himself the task of working out how to make high quality drinks using fresh ingredients at a large scale. When he got back to NZ, he opened a bar in Wellington with his mate Mike Stewart, and put his innovation to use.

So in 2012 the pair launched Six Barrel Soda, selling bottled syrups and sodas. 

“We got into exporting way earlier than we should have – a classic mix of ego and naivety,” laughs Joe.

“We jumped right in without much experience, and air freighted some really heavy boxes full of glass bottles of syrup! But we learnt some interesting things along the way... Read more->>

C Beard

A new resource section is available under Export Assistance on the NZTE website covering international e-commerce->>.

It kicks off with detail on 11 e-commerce marketplaces or platforms where Kiwi companies are already selling, with more planned in a phase 2, plus info on the specifics of China and the daigou channel as well as a glossary.

Additional Existing resources also include:
Export Essentials guides walk you through everything from logistics to pricing. Learn the fundamentals of becoming a successful export business.

Boost Your Digital Know how at your own pace, by working through up to 8 online course modules*. The topics range from developing a digital product, to running social media campaigns, to mastering finance for your business. Note: NZTE partners with UK Digital Academy to offer these courses.

New Zealand at Expo 2020 is looking for suppliers to provide products for use in the New Zealand Pavilion at the next World Expo in Dubai. The items will showcase the best of New Zealand brands and products to a global audience.

“What a country presents at a World Expo shapes its reputation globally,” says Clayton Kimpton, New Zealand’s Commissioner-General to Expo 2020. “This is an opportunity to be part of an historic moment for New Zealand business and design, one that’s going to be seen and experienced by millions of people.”

Expo 2020 Dubai gives New Zealand the opportunity to profile its businesses, products and values to major markets in the Middle East, Europe, India and Africa. More...

Attended by more than 450 of New Zealand’s top executives, the New Zealand International Business Awards is one of the country’s most popular business events of the year.

These annual awards recognise businesses that use their tenacity and courage to succeed on the world stage, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

The 2018 Awards will take place on Thursday 8 November at SKYCITY Convention Centre, Auckland (Level 5).

Get your tickets here->>

This French student is seeking NZ work experience - see CV here.

With a degree in international commerce, she could be an asset to your business if you are exporting to France/Europe.

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