15 February 2002 Media Statement
Anderton Presents Export Award
Minister for Regional Development Jim Anderton on a visit to Westport today presented a Trade NZ Export Award to Solid
Energy NZ Ltd in recognition of the company’s record foreign exchange earnings.
Solid Energy NZ Ltd earned more than $100 million in foreign exchange in 2001 exporting West Coast coal to 15 countries.
Jim Anderton said the company was so successful they were facing the same problem regions and industries throughout New
Zealand have: a shortage of skilled labour.
“Only two years ago New Zealand’s regions and industries had a lack of jobs, now they have skills shortages from wood
processing in Northland and Tairawhiti to farming in Southland and everywhere in between.
“Solid Energy is doing excellent work creating jobs and earning foreign exchange. Their story of poor performance only
two or so years ago to success now is the same story told by many businesses.
“This Labour Alliance Coalition Government has made economic development a priority and our work in partnership with
regions, industries and businesses is proving more successful more quickly than we had dare hope”, said Jim Anderton.
ENDS