Corona Virus is understandably on a lot of exporters and manufacturers minds as they scramble to cope with the disruptions to global supply chains and slower movement of goods and people both in and out of China – see below for an update.  We are currently touring through all our 8 regional ExportNZ offices, talking to exporters about their challenges and opportunities and taking along Government Officials that can hopefully help.  It has been good to catch up with a lot of exporters and hear about your issues, which we will continue to advocate on once the road show is over.

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

Trade policy is, in most parts of the region, being pushed aside by the Covid-19 disease.  This is beginning to have a real impact on China’s imports and exports, and those of economies dependent on trade with China. Some of these are also beginning to be affected by Covid-19 infections.   For New Zealand the most immediate and direct impacts have been on tourism, international education, logs and live seafood.  But other industries are beginning to feel some pain.  Some of this is because the hospitality trade in China has pretty much shut down.  Factories are far from back to normal.  And ports and the freight industry in China are far from back to normal operations.  A number of shipping services to and from China have been cancelled.  And accessing empty containers might soon become a serious problem.  We are monitoring the situation closely.  We recommend that exporters check the NZTE advice on  which is updated daily.

NZ-UK

Prospects for an immediate launch of FTA negotiations with the UK are dimming.  It seems that most of the UK focus is on the EU and US.  New Zealand, Australia and Japan look as though they are going to have to wait a few months before negotiations begin.

More ->>

China Update

• As at 10 Feb many businesses resumed operations, but it was reported that Shanghai had only 20% of its normal traffic, so many people are still working from home.
• The Chinese Government realise they need to get the balance right between containment and keeping the economy going – so these sorts of messages are starting to emerge.
• There has been no change to market access requirements. 
• There are still delays at the border and supply chain challenges.
• Prioritisation at ports is being given to those that have their own logistics/trucks etc.
• There are still restrictions on movements and factories are still facing shortages of workers and materials.

More information here ->>

These awards are a celebration of the vibrant wider Wellington region and all the businesses making a name for it on the world stage.

CRITICAL DATES

Tuesday 18 February: Entries open
Friday 3 April: Entries close
Wednesday 29 April – Friday 8 May: Judges' visits
Monday 11 May: Finalists announced
Thursday 28 May: Awards dinner

More information here ->>

Interested in insights which compare manufacturers from the US, Australia and New Zealand under the US-China Trade War?

Victoria Business School academic Associate Professor Hongzhi Gao, teaming up with Dr Chun Zhang from the University of Vermont (the U.S), and Dr Monica Ren from Macquarie University (Australia), are undertaking a cross-country analysis.

We are seeking professionals from the New Zealand manufacturing industry who can support this study by engaging in a short survey and/or interviews.

Participants and executives in the manufacturing sector can benefit from findings, especially under this big wave of de-globalisation and rising national protectionism.

If you are keen to know more about this academic research project or interested in participating in the survey or interviews, please send us a message or email Associate Professor Hongzhi Gao (Hongzhi.gao@vuw.ac.nz) directly.

Purpose: Drive awareness of the opportunities in South Korea for NZ tech!

What: Knowledge forums in selected cities in New Zealand, providing NZ tech companies with information and answers needed to understand their opportunities in Korea's technology sector.

The forum will start with speakers to introduce the Korean market, tech industry opportunities and the NZ Tech Roadshow in Korea (video) and move onto a panel discussion with about 4 panelists, each with their own areas of Korea expertise.

We hope to attract relevant companies, whose interests align with the two modules outlined about (B2B and HR), and who are keen to learn more about the possibilities that the Korean tech. sector may offer them.

More info here ->>

The Indonesian Embassy has put together a guide of 9 Indonesian international expos and events participated in by over 150 countries in 2020

More information here ->>

If you have questions regarding which free trade agreement you should be using, or are coming up against non tarrif barriers, MFAT will try to help you.

You can contact them by email at exports@mfat.net or by phone on 0800 824 605

Getting government procurement right is important. You spend a lot of time and money bidding for and managing government contracts.

New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) want to know what’s working and what needs improving in procurement planning and sourcing. Your feedback will help shape and grow procurement capability in the Public Sector.

Your individual responses will be held confidentially by the Capability Services Team and the Business Information and Analysis Team within New Zealand Government Procurement.These are not procurement teams: they work to help improve procurement practice across government.

Take the survey here

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