Exporters confident of lift due to RWC

Events like the Rugby World Cup attract government and private investment. Photo / Richard Robinson

Forty per cent of exporters believe the Rugby World Cup will give them a boost, according to a survey by logistics firm DHL Express.

The survey of 350 exporters found they expected the Cup to have a positive effect on their companies.

Of those, nine out of 10 believe the benefits from the tournament will last beyond 2011.

DHL - which is providing logistics services for teams and tournament organisers as part of its sponsorship deal - surveyed businesses in manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, mining and professional services.

"We've got a tradition of big sporting events attracting government and private investment that will lead to better productivity and at least put the company on the map," said national sales manager Phil Corcoran.

"It is a shot in the arm and there have been a number of infrastructure improvements around the country."

Overall results showed 70 per cent expected export orders to increase over the next year, despite unfavourable exchange rates, high fuel prices and the impact of the Christchurch earthquakes.

"The export industry has taken a hit due to several factors in the last few years, but there is a slow-burning confidence, with two thirds believing orders will increase over the next year," he said.

In contrast the DHL Australia Export Barometer shows exporters across the Tasman are less optimistic.

Only 48 per cent of them expect a better 2012, due partly to the even stronger Aussie dollar.

New Zealand companies exporting to Korea, China and Taiwan are most confident of orders increasing over the next 12 months.