Trade NZ stand stuns US entrepreneur

By CHRIS BARTON

United States entrepreneur Ed Pool is still reeling from what he describes as a second "smack in the face" from Trade New Zealand.

Mr Pool, who wants to locate his e-business in New Zealand, creating 200 jobs, feels insulted by the lack of help he is getting from Government officials.

He says the latest rebuff from Trade New Zealand, following similar off-hand treatment when he presented his business ideas four years ago, makes him wonder if New Zealand is serious about developing a knowledge economy.

Investment New Zealand, the investment division of Trade NZ, says it cannot help Mr Pool during his visit here next month because of "potential conflict-of-interest situations."

It works with many New Zealand e-commerce providers who, if his business-method patent application is granted, may have to pay him fees each time they use the internet to order goods from overseas.

Mr Pool filed for the patent in the United States in 1997 and subsequently in 29 other countries, including New Zealand.

Estimates of the money it could generate in a year range up to $US80 billion ($194 billion).