All Black Legend Encourages Links with New Zealand

At a recent seminar in London (Nov 2), UK Trade & Investment (UKTI ) in partnership with New Zealand 2011 Business Club introduced and outlined trade opportunities that exist for British companies in New Zealand.

Substantial support was provided by All Black rugby legend Sean Fitzpatrick, who gave the background to the 2011 Business Club campaign. This is designed to connect companies with business and investment opportunities and with a business hosting programme in New Zealand during 2011, when the country hosts the Rugby World Cup, one of the world’s major sporting events.

UKTI London International Trade Advisor Sarah Todd commented: “With the help of Sean Fitzpatrick and NZ 2011 Business Club, we are encouraging UK companies to take advantage of the business hosting opportunities on offer in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup. New Zealand is a vibrant, modern country with a stable economy and a strong reputation for innovation and ease of doing business. The country enjoys a long history of association with the UK, and British companies are highly regarded in the marketplace. New Zealand provides excellent opportunities for both new and experienced UK exporters’. Through dedicated trade officers based at the British Consulate-General in Auckland, UKTI provides bespoke market research, market entry advice, and business introductions for UK companies, as
well as highlighting key sector opportunities.

The event has been one of several initiatives in November aimed at helping to boost British trade overseas. Prime Minister David Cameron led the biggest ever UK trade mission to China while Birmingham hosted a conference for companies looking to export to Russia. The UK was also visited by a party of specialist ICT commercial officers from Asia who held regional major seminars highlighting opportunities for UK companies in those countries (see Labmate UK & Ireland October
2010. Visit www.labmate-online.com).