Last night, The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce released its election year ‘Business Expectations of
Government’ report, which outlines what businesses would like to see prioritised by the next government.
15 local MPs and candidates, and over 100 businesses took the opportunity to engage directly on the key issues
highlighted in the report which included eight key recommendations that will enable business innovation, productivity
and growth.What Canterbury business asked for from the next Government:
1. Fit-for-purpose workforce settings
2. A skilled workforce, now and in the future
3. Regulatory certainty and reduced compliance costs
4. Investment in infrastructure
5. Driving innovation, sustainability, and resilience
6. Support for small business
7. Action on crime and anti-social behaviour
8. Recognition of the critical role Canterbury plays in the national economy.
Chief Executive Leeann Watson says "the event was well-attended because businesses in Canterbury remain concerned about
short-and long-term issues facing their own operations and the wider economy."
"Right now, businesses are facing challenging economic realities and are operating in an inflationary environment all
while dealing with ongoing uncertainty and increased costs around regulation and compliance, and continued challenges
accessing staff.
"They are very keen to ensure the next Government, whoever that might be, has a plan to address their concerns and is
willing to take a longer-term view, which we hope our expectations document will encourage. They also want to be part of
shaping the future so that their businesses, their people and the communities they operate in thrive.
"Government plays a key role in removing barriers to productivity and economic growth, and in creating and maintaining
an environment which enables the opportunities that will foster the success of our economy and communities now, and into
the future.
"The report also has a focus on Canterbury-specific opportunities and makes our case for being New Zealand’s hub for
technology and innovation, and as a great testing ground for future infrastructure projects."
The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate for businesses in the region and will be very
active in doing so as it gets closer to the election. The full ‘Business Expectations of Government’ report is attached
and available on thechamber.org.nz