Boost to trade initiatives

More than $73 million over four years has been provided to fund initiatives aimed at enhancing New Zealand's trade performance.

The Budget allocates $14.2 million over four years (and $3.2 million a year thereafter) to support World Trade Organisation negotiations and bilateral closer economic partnerships and trade agreements.

The government will contribute $28,000 to the Asia 2003 Conference, which will take a fresh look at opportunities Asia offers New Zealand.

A further $1 million a year will be used to establish beachhead offices in selected offshore markets for New Zealand exporters to use as a base to develop their markets. New Zealand already has offices in Singapore and the United States. Another two will be established in London and the United States this year.

An annual $1.2 million will fund the "Rainmakers" programme. Rainmakers are individuals with a high profile in key sectors or markets whose access to unique and new networks can help secure significant offshore deals.

Other measures to support trade development include the Tourism US promotion of $5 million for three years announced earlier and $29.4 million over four years to target key skills in immigration policies.

- HERALD STAFF