NEW TRADE NEW ZEALAND MANAGER FOR HAMILTON

Promoting Hamilton as an attractive alternative for establishing and growing export business is a major focus for newly appointed Regional Account Manager Tina Woods.

Ms Woods has a background in international banking, where for the past 15 years she was employed by WestpacTrust working as International Business Manager for the Waikato / Bay of Plenty area and Taranaki. This position primarily involved assisting exporters and importers with dealing with global clients, and ensuring they were able to manage the risks that are inherent in overseas markets.

"My key aim in this role is to understand my client's business so that I can provide them with the solutions they require to be successful and as a result grow the greater Waikato economy," says Ms Woods, who is also Vice-President of the Waikato Export Institute.

"Hamilton has always had a solid export base, primarily in the commodity sector of dairy. However as our accessibility to transport and port facilities have improved, especially with the Port of Tauranga we have experienced growth in other sectors, such as manufacturing and engineering. With lower overheads and timely delivery channels, Hamilton is becoming an attractive alternative site for establishing and growing export business.

"The Hamilton area has also become a recognised centre of excellence in the biotechnology area, centred around Ruakura and the University of Waikato. Supporting this large group of exporters is a service industry, incorporating Trade New Zealand, freight forwarders, banks, customs and many others," Ms Woods says.

Ms Woods joined Trade New Zealand in April, replacing Pat English, who has been appointed Trade Commissioner to Beijing. Ms Woods' key sector responsibilities are Life Sciences, Consumer Products, Dairy and Specialty Foods, Wood Building and Interiors, Engineering Products and Services and Technology and Services.

Ms Woods' role involves working proactively with exporters in the greater Waikato region to maximise their export potential and grow their bottom line.

"I am able to assist from the new entrant into exporting right through to the mature exporter who is already successfully exporting to one or several world markets.

"With my background in international banking I have a good understanding of many of the problems that exporters can experience in the various markets around the globe. My area of expertise in foreign exchange and methods of payment will be an asset, which will ensure our exporters get paid and have an understanding of the impact foreign exchange rates have on their profitability."

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