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Message from the executive director

I do hope all our exporter readers are faring better now that we are out of such a restricted trading environment.  Food and beverage exporters have done better since they were able to trade through that time as “essential services”, but it has definitely been very tough for our non-food manufacturers.

According to Stats from the MFAT reports below, in April exports to all countries were down 2.6 percent to $5.3 billion. Dairy and meat exports were up 25.8 percent and 0.8 percent respectively, while seafood and forestry exports fell 30.9 percent and 68.7 percent respectively.  We are hearing good reports of optimism and resilience from our regional offices as to how their exporter members are feeling, with lots of agility and innovative thinking going on.  Stay positive, the NZ economy needs you to do well like never before!

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

Opportunities for NZ businesses in the NZ Upgrade Programme & Australian Infrastructure Priorities Programme

As a response to the current economic situation, the New Zealand and Australian Governments are looking to accelerate the programme and to explore opportunities to engage with smaller businesses to deliver and maintain the work.In this webinar Warner Cowin, Founder & CEO of Height Project Management will share his knowledgeable insights into these programmes, as well as some experiences on how to win work in this sector from All of Government Panels through to leveraging your relationships in New Zealand to grow into Australia.

Date: May 27, 2020 10:30 AM.

Register here ->>

MFAT Ambassadors report on their markets for exporters.

MFAT and NZTE are asking Ambassadors and Trade Commissioners to report on what is happening in their market for the benefit of Kiwi exporters.  Reports received so far include many countries and an overall global economic and trade update.

See more ->>

EU-NZ FTA Negotiations Outreach

In early April the European Union and New Zealand held a seventh round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement by video conference. This Webinar is an opportunity to hear from New Zealand’s Chief Trade Negotiator Vangelis Vitalis and Lead Advisor Alison Hamilton about how the negotiation is progressing and ask questions directly.

This will be of interest for those businesses exporting to or importing from the European Union or those looking to invest and or enter into the EU market. To find out more about our overall objectives for this agreement, including brief information on each area being negotiated please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here. 

  • Date/Time: 29 May, 12.30pm -1.30pm
  • Panelists: Vangelis Vitalis, Deputy Secretary Trade and Economic Group MFAT and Alison Hamilton, Lead Adviser, Trade Negotiations Division MFAT

RSVP here by 1700 NZT on 27 May 2020 (Zoom details will be sent upon registration).

COVID-19 Update | ImmigrationNZ
  • As you may be aware, the Government has fast-tracked legislation to ensure it can respond appropriately and efficiently to immigration issues arising from the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • These temporary immigration legislation amendments are intended to support the quick and efficient management of visa changes during COVID-19.
  • The Minister of Immigration has assured the migrant community in New Zealand that the Government will not use the powers in this Act to take away any existing visa rights.

See more ->>

Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Canadian Agricultural Sector
  • Farmers and food processors across Canada have been significantly affected by COVID-19, following the closure of a number of major processing plants (due to employees contracting COVID-19), as well as labour shortages, and reduced demand from restaurant closures.
  • While meat processing plants are starting to return to operations - albeit at a reduced capacity - the Canadian Cattleman’s Association estimates that there is a backlog of 100,000 cattle ready for slaughter. This is costing the sector approximately CAD$400,000 a day. Processing plants also remain vulnerable to continued COVID-19 outbreaks going forward.
  • Over the last couple of weeks, and following sustained pressure from the sector, the federal government has made a number of announcements re financial aid for the agriculture industry. Announcements for the fisheries and seafood, and dairy sectors have been met with enthusiasm from industry bodies. However, this week’s announcement around a financial aid package for farmers and food processors has not been meet with the same level of praise, with industry groups describing the announcement as: “too little, too late”.
  • Beef imports to Canada for the month of March 2020 were up 47% from March 2019. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted a couple of possible opportunities for New Zealand exporters in Canada (subject to the availability and cost of freight and cold storage facilities).

See More ->>

Is your business being impacted by COVID-19?

The Ministry of Social Development have two no-cost digital service offerings (Work the Seasons and Te Heke Mai).

Both platforms are free to use, and can add immediate value to your employer database and sister organisations under the BusinessNZ umbrella through:

• A remote/online job marketplace with inbuilt upskilling and training modules, industry information, and other jobseeker-support functionality (Work the Seasons)
• A holistic remote/online in-work support and general pastoral support programme to help employers provide ongoing assistance to their existing workforce

More info:

Work the Seasons ->>

Te Heke Mai ->>

Useful links

New Zealand Government - Covid-19 webpage:

https://covid19.govt.nz/

To register a trade barrier:

https://tradebarriers.govt.nz/

Useful Trade and Market information:

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise COVID19 Market Reports

The International Trade Centre has produced a Market Access Map of temporary trade measures that have been enacted by governments in relation to COVID-19

KPMG has also produced a detailed list of government and institutional measures introduced in different markets in response to COVID19.

See more ->>

ExportNZ
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