I have just returned from a trip to Panama City, as I was fortunate to be invited by the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils (GFCC) to participate on its panel at the VII Competitiveness Forum of the Americas (ACF).

The panel discussion, Perspectives from Around the World, was focused on infrastructure and competitiveness. These are topics of great interest to Central and South American countries as they seek to emulate the fast-paced growth enjoyed by many developing countries in Asia. Read my full report here.

On the way to and from Panama, I stopped in the US, where I took the opportunity to meet with some of our overseas representatives in Los Angeles and San Francisco. I picked up some hot tips for doing business in the US. More...

Catherine Beard
027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

In this month's Trade Update I give you a round-up of what happened at the TPP meetings in Bali. It was a pity that President Obama was not there, but his absence did not seem to impact negatively on the result. Critically, everything remains on the table for negotiation. Pressure is now on to try and wrap up the negotiation this calendar year, and there has been an interesting shift in attitude from the Chinese. More...

C Beard

In association with ExportNZ, Idealog magazine has put together the ultimate guide to South-East Asia and China. They are our fastest growing export markets. For example, by 2022, China’s middle class should number 630 million and is expected to be consuming goods and services valued at US$3.4 trillion.

But it’s one thing know the scale of this market and another thing to be able to reach out and take advantage of it. You need detailed intelligence, cultural understanding, and advice on making the right contacts. You need strategy – and you need tactics. This guide provides some basic training, and advice from some of those who know the lie of the land.

Get your free copy of the guide here.

When entering the Chinese market, John Cochrane, NZTE Trade Commissioner, Guangzhou, says it's never long before people encounter the mystifying concept of Guanxi. This Chinese word – and what it supposedly really means, causes great discussion, and at times heated debate.

Here John shares his own simple and pragmatic guidance on why the word and its meaning should not cause any particular worry. Conversely, it should be eagerly embraced as a natural part of doing business in China. More...

Kiwi exporters interested in the US market have an opportunity to partner with the Royal New Zealand Ballet for its USA tour (28 January – 16 February 2014) and leverage the prestigious hosting and promotional opportunities on offer. The tour offers commercial partners valuable benefits including premium hosting and networking opportunities in LA and NYC, plus branding and acknowledgement in RNZB publications and promotional materials. More...

This Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) program helps shuttle global companies through a "super highway" for expedited customs and immigration inspection. It also helps with distribution, employees and the benefits of manufacturing locally – such as tax incentives, reduced fees and costs. More...

A recent rule change will allow entrepreneurs seeking investors to reach a much broader audience.

Potential investors will soon begin seeing opportunities pop up in their Facebook newsfeeds and in their email inboxes thanks to a major rule change from the Securities and Exchange Commission. It means private investments can now be marketed to the general public, which will allow entrepreneurs to reach a much broader audience than securities law used to allow. They can now use the internet to pool small investments from many investors. More...

The Global Food Safety Forum is holding its first ever international conference in NZ, with delegates expected from China, the US and NZ. Bringing together those working across the food supply chain with regulators, importers, and exporters.

The Hon Tim Groser will be opening the Forum  which is being held in Dunedin on 13 – 15 November. View the three day programme here.

Registrations close on 1 November and are limited to a first come basis, so be quick to register here!

Looking to take your mid-sized business to the next level? We know of a CEO on the market who turned a $25m family-owned business into a global corporation of $50m in under 5 years, and now he is looking for a new challenge!

If you are a business in the $10-20m turnover range, looking to step up globally, preferably in Food and Beverage, email me to connect at: cbeard@businessnz.org.nz.

The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) are visiting NZ in November and would like to meet NZ based companies who are planning or considering investment in the Indonesian market, preferably in Agri/Food Processing, Energy, and Infrastructure sectors.

For more information contact Andre Clarke, Country Manager, New Zealand, Frost & Sullivan on 09 9030076 or 021 994 092 or andre.clarke@frost.com.

The Export Council of Australia has launched its first edition of The Import Handbook – a comprehensive guide to the practical aspects of importing. It's aimed at business owners, personnel involved with import documentation, shipping department staff, bank officers, customs agents, freight forwarders, students, etc.

Relevant government instrumentalities, various service providers and leading professionals from the importing community have contributed to this first edition. More...

Australia’s new Liberal/National (“Coalition”) Federal Government has quickly embarked on an “open for business” policy agenda. Forsius Advisory Services expects this to open up new commercial opportunities for NZ companies, specifically in government procurement and transport infrastructure projects. More...

This is a great story of how an Auckland based duo are helping to take Kiwi inventions overseas – or as they put it: "Helping New Zealand companies create great products for the world."

Oliver McDermott and co-founder Ben Thomsen have grown Blender Design into an award-winning innovative design and development consultancy which helps Kiwi businesses take products from inception to manufacturing, here or overseas. More...

As part of its support of the Buy NZ Made ‘People’s Choice Awards’, TSB Bank is offering members of ExportNZ an exclusive deal. It includes a 3.25% p.a. interest rate on balances over $1,000, restaurant vouchers, plus the chance to win $25,000 every month. More...

There are some great opportunities for improving your business through learnings at seminars, workshops and events.

To see what's coming up, go to the ExportNZ home page and scroll down to see what's happening around the country – from "All about India" to training about documents used in export.

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