It's time for an e-strategy says new minister

By YOKE HAR LEE

If New Zealand businesses are not already trading in cyberspace they are either dead or will soon be, according to the new Minister for Trade Negotiations, Jim Sutton.

He said developing an overall e-commerce strategy for New Zealand would be one of his early priorities as minister.

Another would be ensuring taxpayers enjoyed the best return possible from the funds they contribute to the Trade Development Board's activities.

Mr Sutton said another area of development which he wouldfoster was the effective use of direct foreign investment capital as a catalyst for economic development, especially at the regional level.

To achieve this he favoured an "integrated" approach involving the Government and regional organisations.

He said this integration was essential so the Government could help the varying regions within New Zealand to identify potential investors.

On the question of whether Trade NZ should get more money, the new minister had yet to make his views public.

"No doubt there will be areas which will be seeking funding.

"I have got a number of priorities in my portfolio.

"I am not prepared to elaborate at the moment."

Commenting on Trade NZ's performance, Mr Sutton said the board was working out a method whereby it could determine the level of returns it was achieving for taxpayers.

"I am absolutely certain there will be areas within Trade NZ where the spending could be better.

"In some areas the return is nothing less than spectacular."

Mr Sutton said he was suitably impressed after taking his first look as minister over Trade NZ's operations in Auckland.

"It is quite a different environment to what it was a few years ago.

"It is less like a Government department and more like a corporation, more entrepreneurial and more businesslike.

"I found the senior management very stimulating company."