Simon Power MP
National Party Commerce Spokesman

18 December 2006

Export Year vague in the extreme

The Government ‘s oddly labelled ‘Export Year 2007’ is foundering before it starts, says National’s Commerce spokesman, Simon Power.

“From what I can see, the Government is not at all well prepared for the start of this plan, and they are running out of time.

“As recently as two weeks ago, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard was telling Parliament they were still ‘brain storming’ what the export sector could do in the future.

“Well, the future is two weeks away.

“And, as well as still ‘brain storming’ ideas, the Government is also still ‘consulting’ on if they are going to keep the Market Development Assistance Scheme, which they gave $34 million to help companies establish export deals, or convert it to tax credits.

“A one-off cash injection of $34 million sounds good, but the programme has still to be evaluated by Ministry of Economic Development and, given the poor conclusions of previous New Zealand Trade & Enterprise reviews, there is no guarantee this spending will be effective.

“All of this begs another question: so why is 2007 so different? Every year should be export year.

“This seems like another idea doomed to fail because of a lack of good planning – like Trevor Mallard’s ill thought-out Auckland waterfront stadium.”

ENDS

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