NZPBC AFTER--FIIVE SEMIINAR SERIIES
September Seminar: Hon Shane Jones on the RSE Scheme
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Building and Construction, Associate Minister of Immigration, Associate Minister of Trade spoke on the Recognised Seasonal Employers Work Scheme at an After-Five Seminar held at NZPBC on Thursday, 17 September. Since RSE began a year ago, 4,600 workers have been employed by 130 firms. Most employers enjoy the predictable labour supply. Challenges include healthcare, reduction of costs of remittances, and that Australians are starting a similar scheme. New improvements to the scheme may include cadetship.
NZPBC Patron Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban also addressed the membership at the evening.
October Seminar: Judith Collins MP and John Hayes MP
Judith Collins MP and John Hayes MP will outline how National proposes to facilitate two-way trade between NZ and the Pacific Island countries and territories at this pre-election After-Five Seminar to be held at 5pm (for 5.30 start) on Wednesday, 15 October at NZPBC, 733 Great South Road, Otahuhu. This evening is sponsored by Fresha Exports.
Judith Collins
Member for Clevedon, National Party
Deputy-Chairperson, Social Services Committee
Spokesperson, Family Affairs
Spokesperson, Pacific Island Affairs
John Hayes
Member for Wairarapa, National Party
ONZM for services to the Bougainville peace process 1999
Member, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
Associate Spokesperson, Foreign Affairs and Trade (Pacific Affairs and ODA)
Members are invited to send suggestions of topics and speakers for the monthly After-Five Seminar Series to executiveofficer@nzpbc.co.nz.
MOU SIIGNED BETWEEN NZ PNG BUSIINESS COUNCIIL AND NZPBC
New Zealand Papua New Guinea Business Council and NZPBC signed an MOU at independence celebrations held at the Business School, University of Auckland on 16 September. The councils agree to identify and promote opportunities that will enhance the development of industry and commerce in both PNG and NZ with emphasis on developing two-way trade and investment that benefits the economies of PNG and NZ, and include capacity building, education and training. NZPBC partner, PITIC, celebrated PNG’s independence with a viewing of a selection of PNG artists’ works. NZPBC was represented by Chair Gilbert Ullrich and Executive Committee member Ruth Sami.
MOU SIIGNED BETWEEN PACIIFIIC BUSIINESS TRUST AND NZPBC
At a lunch hosted by the Pacific Business Trust, PBT and NZPBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 5 September agreeing to:
Work together to cross promote each other’s activities through their respective calendar of events.
Lliaise and collaborate with each other on projects each of the parties could participate/partner in the that are relevant to both parties.
Co-operate with each other to strengthen and build upon the networks already established between NZ and the Pacific region.
NZPBC is proud to hold an increasing number of meetings and After-Five Seminars at the PBT Centre, showcasing PBT’s facilities and activities to NZPBC guests and members.
PM SOLOMON ISLANDS, HON DR DEREK SIKUA
NZPBC members welcomed Hon Dr Derek Sikua, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands at a reception hosted by Ullrich Aluminium Exports Ltd on Saturday, 23 August. The Prime Minister’s speech highlighted the importance of the government’s efforts to encourage foreign investment. Solomon Islands are seeking investors with strategic plans aligned to national aims and investment. The Foreign Investment Act 2005 has eased the approval and processing of permits for international skilled labour. For a copy of Dr Derek Sikua’s speech, contact executiveofficer@nzpbc.co.nz.
PM TUVALU:: SKILLED LABOUR,, NEW CONTAINER BOAT
Prime Minister of Tuvalu Hon Apisai Ielemia met with NZPBC members, media and Cr Arthur Anae, the acting mayor of Manukau City at a meeting hosted by Ullrich Aluminium on Friday, 22 August.
Surplus skilled labour. The Prime Minister announced that Tuvalu and Kiribati have a surplus of skilled labour including carpenters, mechanics, plumbers and welders who had been employed on the Nauru phosphate mines. He made a request for civil engineers to visit Tuvalu.
Import/Export. He also said that the Forum is to build a multi-purpose container boat to service Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru and possibly Marshall Islands. Tuvalu’s exports are root crops, pawpaws and noni juice. Tuvalu imports food from New Zealand, Fiji and Australia.
FIIJII’’S ACTIING HIIGH COMMIISSIIONER TO NZ
His Excellency Cama Tuiloma spoke on the Business Environment in Fiji at reception on Thursday, 11 September at NZPBC. NZPBC eagerly awaits a copy of His Excellency’s in-depth speech. The reception was sponsored by Control Contracts with assistance from Ullrich Aluminium Export staff.
NZ’’S HIIGH COMMIISSIIONER TO KIIRIIBATII
His Excellency Robert Kaiwai is New Zealand’s new High Commissioner accredited to Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau and FSM for a 3 year posting. He offers to assist NZPBC facilitate business where NZTE does not have a presence and to open doors to government officials and for possible trade missions. HE Kaiwai met with NZPBC members on 11 September.
Christmas Island route getts a Taiwan boost.
Air Pacific - the only international airline servicing the Nadi–Christmas Island route. The Government of Kiribati received Tuesday, 16 September 2008, a $AUS3,147,764.00 boost to the continuation of air services for the Nadi- Christmas Island route. Air Pacific’s Nadi- Christmas Island leg was suspended last month due to the technical problems with the state of the runway on Christmas Island. The charter fee of $AUS3,147,764.00 will be utilized for the Nadi-Christmas Island leg to January next year. (Source: Rongorongo Man Ami Tautaeka (RMAT) September 19, 2008)
NZPBC PACIIFIIC PIIONEER TRADERS’’ VALEDIICTORY AWARDS DIINNER
These annual awards are to be held at the Grange, Papatoetoe on Friday, 7 November 2008. NZPBC IIn--bound Cook iisllands Trrade Miissiion pllanned fforr 2009 NZPBC is currently planning an in-bound trade mission from the Cook Islands for early 2009. Merrchandiise Trrade ffiigurres fforr tthe 23 Paciiffiic IIsllands as att Y//E Jully 2008
Exports $ 1,207,698,939
Imports $145,317,087
NZ Surplus $ 1,062,381,852
Exports are up very slightly, by about $ 7 million and Imports up by about $ 2 million. However, when July 2007 is compared with July 2008, NZ's Exports to Fiji were respectively $ 27.2 million and $ 26.3 million, whilst Fiji's Exports to NZ were $ 5.1 million and $ 5.6 million. We are ever so gradually losing ground with Fiji. There was a significant increase during July in Exports to Niue, probably being expenditure, leading up to the Forum. (Source: NZPBC Business and Trade Manager Mike
Flanagan, 27 August 2008)
