Asian links deliver economic benefits

New Zealand's Asian connections deliver huge economic benefits to New Zealand, says Sir Dryden Spring, Asia 2000 Chairman.

"All the available evidence points to the positive contribution to New Zealand's welfare of Asian visitors, students and migrants," said Sir Dryden. "Not only do migrants pay taxes, build houses, fill skill gaps, start businesses and invest in New Zealand, they also provide important links to external markets for exports, tourists and students. East Asia alone accounts for 80 percent of international students, 25 percent of tourists and 36 percent of exports."

In a recently-released research paper on immigration issues, Asia 2000 points out that increases in immigrants, tourists and international students are a function of increased wealth, technological change, and internationalisation.

"New Zealand derives substantial economic benefits from this new mobility," said Sir Dryden. "Immigrants bring many millions of dollars in savings, many millions more are earned from tourists each year, and annual international student revenues exceed a billion dollars. Immigrants also help to fill labour vacancies, pay taxes, start businesses and sustain demand for local goods and services. There is strong competition from other countries for these benefits.

"The personal networks of Asian immigrants and visitors underpin New Zealand's $21.5 billion two-way trade with Asian countries, attract investment, provide new sources of cultural knowledge and language skills, promote tourism, and strengthen external links."

Sir Dryden also says it is important to distinguish between permanent residents, international students, and tourists.

"The large number of international students, and their concentration at certain locations, especially in Auckland, can create an impression of a substantial increase in migrants to New Zealand's population. This impression is further enhanced by the hundreds of thousands of Asian tourists who now visit New Zealand each year," said Sir Dryden.

Over 500,000 tourists and over 50,000 students are expected to arrive from Asia over the next year, more than double the number of permanent residents of Asian origin.

Sir Dryden Spring is also Chairman of Fletcher Challenge Forests and of the New Zealand APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

The full paper is at: < http://www.asia2000.org.nz/about/issues/immigration_nov02.shtml > New Zealand's top five Asian export markets Japan

· In the year ending December 2001, there were 11,634 students from Japan studying in New Zealand with an economic impact of $169 million. · New Zealand received 150,343 visitors from Japan in the year ending June 2002 who spent $664 million while in New Zealand · Japan was New Zealand's third largest export market in the year to June 2002. Exports totalled NZD 3.697 billion, and imports NZD 3.620 billion. Korea · In the year ending December 2001, there were 8,064 students from Korea studying in New Zealand with an economic impact of $160 million. · New Zealand received 97,880 visitors from Korea in the year to June 2002 who spent $257 million. · Korea was New Zealand's fifth largest export market in the year to June 2002. Exports totalled NZD 1.450 billion, and imports NZD 0.747 billion. China · In the year ending December 2001, there were 15,053 students from China studying in New Zealand with an economic impact of $390 million. · New Zealand received 65,110 visitors from China in the year to June 2002. · China was New Zealand's sixth largest export market in the year to June 2002. Exports totalled NZD 1.418 billion, and imports NZD 2.371 billion. Taiwan · In the year ending December 2001, there were 2,512 students from Taiwan studying in New Zealand with an economic impact of $48 million. · New Zealand received 36,865 visitors from Taiwan in the year to June 2002 who spent $146 million. · Taiwan was New Zealand's eighth largest export market in the year to June 2002. Exports totalled NZD 0.705 billion, and imports NZD 0.648 billion. Hong Kong · In the year ending December 2001, there were 1,228 students from Hong Kong studying in New Zealand with an economic impact of $32 million. · New Zealand received 28,924 visitors from Hong Kong in the year to June 2002 who spent $90 million. · Hong Kong was New Zealand's ninth largest export market in the year to June 2002. Exports totalled NZD 0.683 billion, and imports NZD 0.144 billion.

© Scoop Media