Exporters urged to test New Zealand market

9/3/00

Western Australian exporters have been urged to compete for a bigger share of New Zealand's $18 billion import market.
Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan told a business seminar in Perth today that WA provided, directly, less than five per cent of Australia's $6 billion annual exports to New Zealand.
Mr Cowan said that improvements in sea and airfreight access meant the time was right for a significant increase in that proportion.
"New Zealand provides an ideal opportunity for companies, which have established themselves in national markets, to gain confidence and experience in export," he said.
"Australia's Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement with New Zealand means there are no tariff barriers, while we share similar business environments, culture and language.
"Basically any company that has succeeded in Eastern States markets should be able to make inroads into New Zealand markets."
Mr Cowan said that research by the Department of Commerce and Trade showed that a wide range of New Zealand imports could potentially be sourced in Western Australia.
He said that New Zealand's imports ranged from fresh and processed foods to mining and agricultural equipment, household furniture and information technology.

Mr Cowan said he suspected the Western Australian export figures ($316.4 million in 1999) might understate actual exports as some exports may be shipped via Eastern States ports.
"The department has identified more than 850 firms exporting to, or exploring opportunities in, New Zealand and there are some outstanding examples of successful exports such as baked and frozen foods, household appliances and fast ferries," he said.
"However, the vast bulk of WA's current exports are petroleum products and processed minerals, indicating that there is still great potential for small and medium-sized companies to build new markets."
Media contact: Peter Jackson 9222 9595