KEY POINTS:
Business New Zealand says the economy is too small to grow significantly without exports, and wants businesses and the Government to help boost the sector.
Business NZ chief executive Phil O'Reilly said that, under the umbrella of the Export Year campaign, the Government should take steps to help exporters, such as lightening regulations, flattening and lowering taxes, minimising compliance costs and limiting Government spending capped at 30 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).
"Our challenge is to grow exports as a proportion of GDP," O'Reilly said.
"It's the only way to grow the economy and improve living standards."
Business NZ is also calling for expansion of the overseas assistance programmes provided by Trade and Enterprise, and increasing the international focus of parts of the education system.
The organisation said the Government should keep pursuing commitment to bilateral and multilateral trade liberalisation.
- NZPA
