Tim Macindoe: Ambitious plan for businesses

The recent Mayoral Forum "Growth Triangle" featuring the mayors of Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga, which I attended with almost 200 others at Waikato Stadium, was a stimulating forum. I thank the Chamber of Commerce for hosting it.

During her address, Mayor Julie Hardaker spoke of the Waikato region's infrastructure and freight opportunities and challenges, and the critical importance of maximising export potential.

Julie also acknowledged the significant goals set out in the Government's Business Growth Agenda (BGA) and encouraged the audience to focus on these aspirations as we work towards growing regional investment opportunities, fostering the conditions for creating jobs for the growing population in Hamilton and the wider Waikato region, and taking advantage of proximity to Auckland and the Bay of Plenty.

The BGA consists of more than 250 initiatives in six key areas and complements our commitments to manage the Government's finances responsibly, deliver better public services and rebuild Canterbury.

The BGA is an ambitious programme of work that will support New Zealand businesses to grow, in order to create jobs and improve New Zealanders' standard of living. It is delivering innovative initiatives and policy reforms that will help create a more productive and competitive economy.

The six key ingredients that businesses need to grow, which are the focus of the BGA, are export markets, innovation, infrastructure, skilled and safe workplaces, natural resources, and capital. Each has its own programme of work.

National is working hard to build a more productive and competitive economy built on more investment and higher savings.

Through the BGA we will reduce costs and uncertainties for business, ensure people have the right skills to contribute to the workforce, build infrastructure that New Zealanders can rely on, unlock the potential of natural resources, deliver more and higher quality trade agreements, boost capital markets, and invest more in innovation.

A stronger, growing economy will encourage more investment - by individuals and small businesses - in setting up a new business or expanding existing operations, and hiring more staff.

I am confident the BGA is the right plan for our region and for New Zealand.

The encouraging GDP growth that we achieved in the December quarter is another sign we're heading in the right direction, notwithstanding the many domestic and international challenges that we continue to face.

For further details on the BGA and an opportunity to provide feedback on it visit www.mbie.govt.nz/bga.