• POLICIES FOR PROGRESS TRADE & INVESTMENT
• GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO WORK MORE CLOSELY
• NORTH AMERICAN CAMPAIGN
• NEW ZEALAND INC
• OVERSEAS STUDENTS
• TRADE LIBERALISATION

The Government is to develop a comprehensive "New Zealand Inc" prospectus and bring up to 50 potential investors to the country to help attract new businesses and investment to New Zealand, Trade Minister Lockwood Smith announced today.

The initiative is part of the Government's Policies for Progress programme.

"Investment equals new jobs, and these initiatives will help create new jobs," Dr Smith said. "The objective of the prospectus is to present New Zealand as offering a unique combination of an open business environment and a good lifestyle."

The "New Zealand Inc" prospectus will be developed by Trade New Zealand and be available in hard copy and on the Internet. It will provide comprehensive information on New Zealand, its business environment and way of life, and will build on a range of existing promotional material.

"When New Zealand is competing for attention in a crowded global marketplace, we need to feature all our strengths even to be noticed. A prospectus of this nature will be another useful tool for both the private and public sector when promoting our country."

The Government will also establish a potential investor visits programme, targeting 50 high-worth international investors. They will be hosted in New Zealand and presented with opportunities for business development here. Some will be given "red carpet" treatment.

The investment drive will be built around millennium events and next year's APEC meeting and will be run by Trade New Zealand who will work with the business community to identify, invite and host the 50 potential visitors. The visitors will be encouraged to consider New Zealand as a location for their companies, or parts of their businesses, or to invest in productive New Zealand enterprises.

ENDS