Western Bay exporters now have a point of contact to quickly resolve any trade issues they may have in overseas markets.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with Business New Zealand, is running a pilot Connections programme involving Dunedin and Tauranga - and a young diplomat, Huw Thomas,has been assigned the Western Bay region.
The ministry is keen to strengthen its business and community links outside Wellington, and Mr Thomas will be developing close relationships in this region.
Even if Mr Thomas is posted overseas, he will remain a contact for local exporters throughout his career.
"Exporters may run into trade access difficulties and they don't know where or who to turn to," Mr Thomas said. "I can give them a quick response and put them in touch with the right networks, or represent them.
"We have staff in 50 countries and I can look after the interests of Tauranga. The programme improves access to the ministry, which can become the first port of call," he said.
Mr Thomas spent three days in Tauranga last week getting to know as many exporters and people as possible. He visited Port of Tauranga, Zespri and the Titanium Industry Development Association, he met the Smart Economy action group, and attended an Export NZ Bay of Plenty function to develop contacts and gain an understanding of the the local business community.
Mr Thomas has a BA and BSc double degree majoring in biosciences, economic and political science, and he has worked as a policy officer at the ministry for two years.
He has concentrated on market access into Australia, Korea and Japan, and expects to be posted to Indonesia in a year's time as second secretary trade and economics. "I can represent the (western Bay) region overseas and I will still remain the first point of contact for your exporters," he said.
