Kiwi dollar's slide gives exporters new heart

The dollar's fall over the past six months has given exporters fresh optimism and spurred their investment in product development and technology, according to a survey to be released today.

The fifth DHL Export Barometer found 66 per cent of exporters expect to win more export orders over the next 12 months while 67 per cent expect higher profits.

The survey indicated a growing number of exporters were planning to spend more on key areas in the next 12 months to support and develop their businesses.

Some 42 per cent intended to invest in technology, 40 per cent planned to spend more on plant and equipment, 39 per cent on additional staff, 39 per cent on research and development and 35 per cent on market research.

Exporters' greater willingness to invest in the future of their businesses was encouraging and represented a "significant improvement" on survey results in May last year, said DHL Express general manager Derek Anderson.

The change of attitude was driven by the depreciation of the local currency, said Anderson.

"That's probably the single best thing that's happened for exporters to change their outlook. Talking to our clients, that's had a major bearing on what they've now got in their pipelines."

The survey showed companies in manufacturing and services were significantly more likely than other industries to introduce new products in the coming 12 months while tourism industry businesses were the most likely to make technology investments.

However, the survey also found that agriculture was lagging behind other industries for spending on innovation and new product development.