NZ govt to spend $35.3M to help primary sector export trade

Friday 24th March 2017

The government is earmarking $35.3 million of new funding over the next four years to help primary sector exporters trade in overseas markets.

The plan was announced as part of the launch of the government's Trade Agenda 2030 today, and will be made available to the Ministry of Primary Industries as part of Budget 2017, according to a statement from Trade Minister Todd McClay and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

The new funding will be used to increase MPI's presence in Europe and South East Asia, establish an export regulatory advice service to help exporters navigate complex regulatory environments, accelerate work on priority non-tariff barriers, expand MPI's Economic Intelligence Unit to provide market insights and economic information to support exporters and government agencies, helping identify market opportunities and develop export strategies, and support work on market access, systems audit and assurance monitoring.

“The primary sector is vitally important to the New Zealand economy, earning around $36 billion a year, supporting thousands of jobs and exporting to around 130 countries," Guy said. "It’s important the government continues to support the sector through creating new and improved trade links.

“Barriers to trade cost our exporters billions, and entering new markets can be complex so Trade Agenda 2030 brings a renewed focus on helping our exporters address these issues and making them more competitive. This funding will help them overcome such barriers, navigate international regulatory requirements and further resource efforts to improve trade access issues.”

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