No analysis of where extra jobs will come from

Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter says he was not aware that any analysis had been done on the budget claim that 170,000 new jobs will be created. File photo / Paul Estcourt

The Ministry of Economic Development has not done any analysis of where the 170,000 new jobs promised in the budget will come from.

Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter told the commerce select committee today he was not aware that any analysis had been done.

"Bear in mind the Government hasn't said it will create the 170,000 new jobs - the budget said there will be 170,000 jobs," he said.

Asked by committee chairwoman Lianne Dalziel which sectors the jobs would come from, Mr Carter said he did not know and had not done any work in that area.

"But I think you can see where potentially the jobs will be created," he said.

"We've got a booming primary sector which is going to be looking for more jobs, you've got the potential then around food processing to lead to significant more jobs."

Mr Carter said the number of smart companies doing well should not be underestimated.

The Ministry of Economic Development and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise needed to identify those companies and work with them, Mr Carter said.

- NZPA