Napier, MSCNewsWire 1 May 2016 - The UK government sponsored British Business Network launched in New Zealand in April is the high level official stamp of approval for a concerted restoration and promotion of trade between the two countries.This new big push represents a notable turnaround from what appeared to be an official position which reduced the British position in New Zealand to a ceremonial role.
This doldrums was largely linked to the tour of duty in New Zealand as High Commissioner of George Fergusson who set in motion the disestablishment of the British Consul in Auckland, the historic imperial trading post.
The fifth generation of his family to serve in a pro-consular role in New Zealand, his term signalled instead the nadir of the official trade promotion relationship.
Now, in contrast, UK Trade and Investment, Whitehall’s overarching enterprise agency, is signalling an abrupt U-turn which is hall marked especially by a policy of encouraging auxiliary groups.The re-ignition of these groups will be an important morale booster as well as a practical policy in regard to harnessing the energies of the remaining UK-owned industrial enterprises in New Zealand.
This new policy tilt to a large degree reprises the New Zealand Kea model in terms of being an officially encouraged focussing of expat talent and resources.
The unknown issue in all this is why and in such recent times the focus on UK-NZ trade promotion became quite so diffuse? At a time when it was becoming increasingly obvious that Britain’s presence in the EU in the medium to longer term was a tenuous one.
The back-to-business policy change became immediately obvious with the appointment of the current British High Commissioner Jonathan Sinclair.United Kingdom Trade & Investment’s launch of the British Business Network in New Zealand is final proof that after a period when the UK High Street’s shutters were down, Britain is now open again for business in the South Seas.
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