New Zealand for You - Exporters

New Zealand has a competitive, open economy, dependant on the growth of external trade. The population base of 3.5 million people is too small to sustain a strong domestic economy, making the development of external trade a priority. The standard of living is high on OECD ranking, creating a rising demand for the importation of goods and services to sustain the living standards, and necessitating the continuing evolution of value-added exports from the traditional agricultural base, which still dominates our economy.

Prior to the 1980's the New Zealand economy was characterised by the production of unrefined agricultural commodities largely destined for Britain, the largest market. The domestic economy was marked by high tariff barriers erected against the importation of foreign manufactured goods, in favour of small manufacturers supplying the domestic market.

After the election of the 1984 Labour Government the economy was substantially de-regulated, eliminating artificial tariff barriers and opening the economy to international forces. As a result New Zealand is open to the importation of goods from any source, subject to laws instituted for the protection of consumers.

This has necessitated a radical revision of our export capacity, assisted by the freeing up of regulatory environment which had acted as a barrier to innovative export. There has been a substantial shift away from the production of basic agricultural commodities for export to value-added manufacturers off-shore, accompanied at the same time by a drive for new export markets. As a result New Zealand manufacturers are increasingly displaying the same ingenuity and drive that marked our early pioneers as they broke in the virgin land for basic primary production, but with much more productive results.

The accent now is on value-added exports which in some cases has meant New Zealand has established a world-wide reputation for innovation and quality, for example marine products, wine and Cervena (deer meat) exports.

Check New Zealand for You for the exporting companies you wish to contact.

The New Zealand Government remains active in supporting the drive for export-led growth, providing an international support network of offices under the TradeNZ brand, offering logistical support to exporters developing foreign markets. Information on contacting TradeNZ can be selected on New Zealand for You.

Should you have any queries or require further information send email to info@nz4you.com

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