Trade Minister Todd McClay has said that New Zealand’s ongoing and future trade relationship with the United Kingdom is in good shape following agreement on the next steps for the newly established NZ-UK Trade Policy Dialogue.
The progress was made during a meeting between Minister McClay and his UK counterpart, Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“This is an important day for trade relations between our two countries as the Trade Policy Dialogue will ensure there is no disruption to trading conditions as a result of Britain leaving the European Union,” Mr McClay says.
Minister McClay has offered to host a meeting in New Zealand when Secretary Fox visits in the first half of this year.
Discussions will include market access, trade and investment, World Trade Organisation processes and prospective negotiations.
“Preferential access to high value export markets is important for New Zealand’s strong economic performance. An ongoing focus on promoting fairer trade and investment rules is key to our prosperity as a nation and the Trade Policy Dialogue will be a part of this,” Mr McClay says.
| Beehive, January 20, 2017 |
Atlas Copco (IW 1000/325), the world’s largest maker of industrial compressors, plans to split into two listed companies in a move that will see the departure of its longstanding Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Leten and could spark takeover interest.
A newly created company with sales of about 28 billion kronor (US$3.1 billion) will focus on mining and construction tools, and will be spun off to shareholders in a tax-free distribution, the Stockholm-based company said in a statement Monday. Under the plan to be put to shareholders next year, Atlas Copco will retain the compressor and vacuum businesses that have revenue of 74 billion kronor in the year through last Sept. 30.
“The new company is a business that a large player like Caterpillar or Komatsu might be interested in buying,” Swedbank analyst Anders Roslund said by phone. “I don’t think that’s imminent, but it’s an interesting and well-run business.” > > > Continue to full article
∩ Atlas Copco Plans to Split in Two
∩ Protesters chain themselves to Fonterra factory gate
∩ Unsuitable packaging problem for water extraction company causing problems
∩ English optimistic on some form of trade deal
∩ Advanced seismic engineering protects new MPI laboratory
∩ Australia thinking about an alternative TRANS-Pacific partnership
∩ From this day forward it's America first
∩ Breakers hot streak continues
∩ Trump to withdraw from TPP amid new trade strategy
∩ Future trade progressing with the UK
Over Auckland Anniversary weekend, Ports of Auckland invites you behind the iconic red fence to discover your port from land, sky or the glistening sea. Captain Cook Wharf is transformed into a bustling summer carnival with family-friendly rides, tours and day-long entertainment on and off the water, including the SeePort Sunset Symphony & Fireworks with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and special guests.
Following on from the success of the 2016 festival which saw over 60,000 people visit Captain Cook Wharf, 2017 is set to be bigger and better than ever with in-air helicopter displays, the chance for a lucky few to experience the port from the heights of a crane and the Royal New Zealand Navy's inshore patrol vessel, HMNZS Taupo, Open Days. The festival will kick off with an official opening at 10am on the Sunday morning, following the gates opening at 9am.
SeePort is a chance to sneak a peek behind the red fence and discover your port; learn, explore, eat, have fun and be entertained over the only two days of the year the port is open to the public. Sun and sea are the perfect mix for a long weekend, and best of all it's mostly free! See a full schedule of events at www.seeport.co.nz
> > > Continue to full article
The White House website has been updated with a new trade strategy in the wake of President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP] and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers,” the website states.
“President Trump is committed to renegotiating NAFTA,” it continues. “If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States’ intent to withdraw from NAFTA.
Many critics argue that Trump’s desire to withdraw from the 12-country TPP, which includes Canada, Mexico and Japan, contradicts his anti-China attitude on trade.
They see the trade deal — which excludes China but includes other Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam — as an attempt to limit China’s economic influence.
Scrapping the deal in essence strengthens China’s economic dominance in Asia, critics say.
And the U.S.’s withdrawal from the TPP has not yet killed the deal entirely. > > > Continue to read the full article
| From The Huff Post, Canada - January 21, 2017 |
Worldwide the consumption of news continues to esculate and New Zealand is not immume
There is an old saying "you can't see the wood for the trees" which something we all suffer from at various times. Now I have had such an attack, its not painful, not even frustrating, no physical signs at all and in fact I didn't even know I had it until now.
Fortunately the remedy is nearly at hand with no prescriptions, pills or vile medicine to take , just a dose of goodwill is all thats required. And this could very well come from you, yes it could.
Now this is a remedy of many parts each of equel strength and importance. Each part will compliment the other yet be completely different in their individual make-up. Some will be responsible for what is being made every day on the factory floors and workplaces country wide and others will be aware of what is happening.
However there is one common element - each part has an interest in sharing information with the others thus completing the remedy.
So if you have an interest in what is happening in the productive sector in New Zealand, and by that I mean an interest in any of the many engineering disciplines (including digital apps and games development), any of the trades, manufacturing, construction, those who have seen an opportunity and gone for it, then you can help me recover. You see the answer is simply this - would you like to become a contributor to MSCNewsWire and share what you may already post on social media?
The bad news first: it dooesn't come with an annual salary, or even an hourly rate for that matter or payment by the word, no company car or expenses and you have to provide your own mobile, laptop or tablet, social media account and bursts of coffee!
But the good news is that your contributions will be viewed on MSCNewsWire that presently enjoys over 50,000 views a month plus you will be helping promote our productive sector to an interested global audience. A thought - if we do this right together then there is absolutely no reason why commercial opportunites can't be developed. You just never know what tomorrow will bring.
So thats it really. With a bit of luck I'll get the medicne to fix the condition and you'll get to start what could be an interesting and rewarding journey, along the way contributing to the growth in the consumption of news in a positive way.
If you would like to join the team then first of all skoot me through an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your contact details and an indication of the topics you are interested in. Oh yes meantime you are welcome to join The Factory Floor Exchange.
It's free and members get to post questions and share knowledge through the various forums. It's also very new so members are urgently required to help it grow with a personaility of its own. Do recommend it to your friends and peers.
Look forward to hearing from you and with a bit of luck be able to walk through the trees and learn what each have to offer.
| From beside the MSCNewsWire reporters' desk | Saturday 21, January 2017 |
Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the publication of guidance on public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) is timely as New Zealand’s fleet reaches more than 2500, exceeding all targets.
The guidance will support public charging infrastructure by providing clear recommendations for both investors and those enabling the development of charging station sites, such as local authorities.
“This guidance is an important step towards developing a safe and consistent nationwide charging network that EV drivers can depend on,” Mr Bridges says.
“It not only marks an important milestone in the Government’s EV programme, but will help reassure drivers that EVs are the way of the future and here to stay.
“While we expect most charging will continue to take place at home or the workplace, reliable public charging infrastructure is crucial to provide drivers with the confidence to make longer trips. It can also influence the decision to buy one.
The Transport Agency worked closely with local and central government and industry to identify recommendations that will best meet the long-term needs of EV drivers.
“Central to the recommendations was ensuring they took into account emerging fast-charge technology and overseas market shifts, learning from the failures and successes of other countries,” Mr Bridges says.
This guidance supports the development and roll-out of public charging infrastructure and is part the government-industry programme to help reach 64,000 EVs in New Zealand by the end of 2021.
The guidance and information about the programme of work can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/ev and www.electricvehicles.govt.nz.
Trade Minister Todd McClay has confirmed New Zealand and Sri Lanka will progress discussions on new trade and investment opportunities, which could include a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.
The announcement comes after a meeting between Mr McClay and Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and I have instructed officials to consider how New Zealand and Sri Lanka can build the right framework to grow our economic relationship through a trade arrangement, including the possibility of working with other like-minded countries,” Mr McClay says.
“Sri Lanka and New Zealand are complementary economies. There is potential for greater trade both ways and I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to this.”
“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has agreed to open a diplomatic post in New Zealand and we are doing the same in Sri Lanka. This is an important step in strengthening trade and economic ties as well as increasing our bilateral engagement.”
| A release from the Beehive |
Donald Trump has been crowing as companies including Ford Motor Co. (IW 500/4) renounce plans to move factories to Mexico. But the main beneficiaries of this shift back to the U.S. aren't saying much by way of celebration -- industrial robots don't tend to speak.
While globalization's detractors blame countries such as China and Mexico for stealing the factory jobs of the West, experts point to less obvious culprits which are harder to scapegoat and to overcome in an interconnected economy with complex supply chains.
Since U.S. manufacturing employment peaked in the late 1970s, according to Michael Hicks of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University in Indiana, "95% of job losses were due to productivity improvements including automation and computer technology, rather than trade."
Indiana is one of the rust-belt states where Trump triumphed in November, and the president-elect has promised a punitive border tax against outsourcing companies as he bids to become "the greatest jobs producer that God ever created." > > > Continue to read full article on Industry Week |
∩ Lyttelton Port container terminal union workers back on strike
∩ NZ govt's $87.3B investment focused on transformational projects
∩ Revised design for Dunedin hotel
∩ EV charging infrastructure guidance released
∩ NZ and Sri Lanka discuss trade opportunities
∩ Half of U.S. Wineries Might Be Sold in the Next Five Years
∩ While you were sleeping: Upbeat US jobs, housing
∩ Management friction, unpaid bills sink promising pre-fab housing builder ABT in Auckland
∩ NZ manufacturing activity ends 2016 with above-average reading
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242