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There may have been an international cricket match on in Napier last night but that didn’t deter more than 400 people turning out to the Hawke’s Bay Opera House to formally welcome Business Hawke’s Bay, the region’s new economic development agency.

The evening started with an up-lifting video introduction created by locally based film company Indelible, including a welcome from Economic Development Minister the Hon Steven Joyce.

Mr Joyce congratulated the initiatives of Business Hawke’s Bay adding he “looked forward to visiting the region later in the year to see the plan in action.”

Mr Joyce said the only way to achieve sustainable growth in jobs was to have competitive businesses that could succeed not only in New Zealand, but on the world stage.

“The way to do that is to provide companies with access to the things that make them successful, like innovation, entrepreneurial ability, provision of capital, provision of skills, infrastructure and availability of raw materials, all those things help companies to get out there and succeed,” he said.

CEO of Business Hawke’s Bay Murray Douglas said the new economic hub couldn’t come fast enough for the region.

‘We’re seeing building consents slump year on year to unbelievably low levels, “he said.

“Hawke’s Bay in the fifties was one of the wealthiest regions in the country, now it’s near the bottom.”

The Business Hawke’s Bay model is unique in New Zealand with the majority of funding coming from the private sector, in partnership with five local councils, the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Hawke’s Bay.

Steven Joyce confirmed the importance of partnerships in growing regional economies.

“The coming together of businesses, local government and academic institutions in each region is really important to achieve successful businesses.”

Speaking by video link at the launch, local MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremain acknowledged the support of the private sector and said Business Hawke’s Bay set an example to the rest of the country.

“The only way to make this work in the province is by doing it together and not in silos,” Chris Tremain said.

Business Hawkes Bay’s focus on growing jobs and a skilled workforce follows the lead of the Government’s welfare reforms announced this week.

A new website was launched including a comprehensive business directory with almost 4000 businesses listed. A web portal, The Hawke’s Bay Hothouse, was introduced as a one stop growth development shop with advice and direction on growing business and growing people.

Working with the Ministry of Social Development was an integral part of Business Hawke’s Bay Murray Douglas said.

“Growing people is equally as important as growing business, and the two goals need to be in tandem rather than in isolation.”

“The Business Hawke’s Bay agenda is built around the straightforward premise that if we want more and better jobs for Hawke’s Bay people, we need to encourage more businesses to be based here and our existing businesses to be supported in expansion.”

 

For further information contact:
Murray Douglas 
Chief Executive
Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 06 876 5938Kate de Lautour
Mobile: 021 986 666

Or

Kate de Lautour
Mobile: 027 432 3087

 

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