Industry Backs launch of Aviation New Zealand

19/07/07

Media Release NOTE: Embargoed until 7pm 19/07/07

Industry Backs launch of Aviation New Zealand

New Zealand’s aviation industry today entered a new era with the official launch of the industry’s strategy to grow exports from around $800 million today to $3bn by 2020.

“Aviation New Zealand” was launched by the Hon Trevor Mallard, Minister for Economic Development in Auckland on Thursday night before an audience of 150 business leaders.

The strategy is aimed at marketing New Zealand’s internationally recognised expertise in the aviation supply industry.

Chief Executive of the Airways Corporation Ashley Smout, speaking on behalf of the industry, said that the export strategy was a major milestone for New Zealand aviation businesses.

“We want to set the stage for our local industries to be in the best position to take advantage of all global opportunities. Aviation industry suppliers are natural competitors but they have developed enough trust and foresight to embrace a strategy that relies on collaboration to access significant global opportunities”

Aviation is an industry growing at around 5% per annum globally.

“New Zealand is recognised internationally as having major core competencies in all aspects of industry training, the overhaul, maintenance and repair of niche engineering activities and the provision of airport and airways infrastructure and support services.

Development of an integrated export strategy is a tangible repositioning of the industry sponsored and promoted by the Aviation Industry Association.

Aviation New Zealand’s most obvious immediate presence will be marked by an inclusive web based shop front where the goods and services of the industry will be showcased for the global market.

Announcing the launch of the web page, Mr Smout says it was now up to businesses in New Zealand to submit their product and service specification.

“These specifications will be verified through an independent quality assurance process and then listed on the exclusively branded web page.”

Membership to Aviation New Zealand would be open to all suppliers who met the quality assurance guidelines and would not be limited to those who had traditionally supplied the aviation industry.

“If we are confident companies can contribute to the export drive of the sector they will have access to the website.”

The development of Aviation New Zealand is the culmination of two years work by industry supported by a Government Sector Initiative fund grant and the several initiatives by NZ Trade and Enterprise, including industry sponsorship to the Avalon aerospace and defence show last February at Geelong.

Aviation New Zealand is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association whose goal is to assist its members build sustainable businesses.

ENDS

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