From the Chamber - Gerard Casey

Gerard Casey of Whakatane reads the Whakatane News May 2014 after being included in the Pride of NZ Awards 2014 picture supplied NZH 31May14 - Gerard Casey is a cheerleader for the Eastern Bay

Last week I attended the 2014 New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Conference in Nelson.
It was very positive and motivating and we had a number of great key note speakers.

A strong message that came from the conference was that the Chambers of Commerce play a key role in economic development.

Because business is essential to economic development (after all it is businesses which create jobs and generate wealth.) we work with the business sector generally - this is where our Chamber come in as a key driver and voice for business.

A Senior Government minister speaking at the conference has said that the most authentic voice that should be talking to businesses and about businesses are business organisations.

The Chamber should and can be the loudest and most authentic voice that Government listens to. One of the National Governments goal this 3 years is to give more companies the chance to grow.

They want to work and create more jobs and wants to do this in conjunction with work with Chambers of Commerce.

Business organisations such as the Chambers of Commerce, which are privately funded by the voluntary subscriptions of their business members, are putting resources into economic development through their lobbying and advocacy function which benefits the whole business community - not just their members.

Our Chamber of Commerce while still focusing on our members, are aiming to improve the local economic environment for all businesses.

The Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce is part of the NZ Chambers of Commerce representing over 20,000 members and part of a global network of more than 20 000 other Chambers throughout the world as part of the International Chamber of Commerce, which means NZ members are part of the largest business network anywhere.
Imagine the opportunities this provides to importers and exporters to say nothing of the combined knowledge base of a global membership.

Our Chamber constantly celebrates our business success stories, - not only through the Horizon Business Excellence awards - have we also highlighted the considerable potential for businesses to succeed and contribute nationally and globally in and from the Eastern Bay.

We look forward to supporting the growth of our great Eastern Bay region .