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Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has congratulated Palmerston North City Council and Spearhead Manawatu on successfully securing investment from the Ports of Auckland, the Port of Napier, and IcePak, for a new Inland Port and intermodal freight hub for the city and the region.

"This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the region's vision for Palmerston North to be a freight and logistics hub for the lower North Island,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has welcomed the latest update on progress in the New Zealand International Convention Centre project.

SkyCity issued a company market update this morning that included information about and images from the draft Concept Design for the new international-standard convention centre, to be based in Auckland. It also provided information on a new five-star hotel and a laneway which Sky City will build as part of the International Convention Centre precinct.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the Major Events Fund is investing $1.5 million in Winter Games New Zealand 2015 and $1.25 million in Winter Games New Zealand 2017.

Winter Games New Zealand is a bi-annual event held in the Southern Lakes district and attracts some of the world’s most elite snow sport athletes. Investment in the next two Winter Games will support the events goal to become one of the top three snow sports events in the world and continue to profile New Zealand internationally as a premier winter destination.

Consumer demand in East and South East Asia for high value foods and beverages is driving export growth and diversification, a new Government report shows.

‘What does Asia Want for Dinner? Emerging Market Opportunities for New Zealand food & beverages in East & South East Asia’ was released today by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

Thirteen senior executives and business owners have been given the opportunity to attend the world’s most prestigious business schools after receiving Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was particularly pleased with the calibre of this year’s applicants and the range of businesses which applied.

“The successful applicants will gain invaluable knowledge from their studies which will benefit the companies they return to and help make them more competitive internationally,” Mr Joyce says.

A single unique number for every business and a range of new services that reduce the need for businesses to provide the same information twice are just some of the ways that government is working to make it easier for businesses to interact with them," Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

“In 2012, the Government set 10 ambitious targets to be achieved by 2017, one of which was to significantly improve businesses interaction with government (Result 9).

The goal of a single business number for all kiwi businesses to use in their dealings with Government agencies has moved a big step closer with a decision that all key government agencies that work regularly with businesses will be required to recognise and use the new New Zealand Business Number by the end of 2017.

The Government will introduce legislation early in the next term that will confirm the deadline and extend the ability to allocate the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) beyond registered companies to all New Zealand business entities.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced a new growth study to help increase investment opportunities, employment and incomes in the Manawatū-Whanganui region.

The Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Growth Study will bring together knowledge held by central and local government, local business people, Māori, and other stakeholders, as well as official economic data and independent economic analysis.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today launched a set of 14 Regional Investment Profiles at the New Zealand and Australia Economic Development Forum 2014 to promote investment opportunities in each region of New Zealand.

The profiles provide information about sector strengths and how these are supported by each region’s workforce, raw materials, services and infrastructure. They also include case studies and comments from businesses that have invested in each region.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an all-of-government banking services solution.

“Core banking services for government haven’t been tendered for over 20 years and banking trends and technology have evolved considerably during this time,” Mr Joyce says.

“This RFP, released via GETS today, is an opportunity for payments and banking suppliers to work with government to put in place a modern banking solution that is flexible enough to accommodate future innovation.”

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today announced the reappointment of Anne Blackburn as Deputy Chair of New Zealand Venture Investment Fund Ltd (NZVIF).

Anne Blackburn was first appointed as a director of NZVIF in 2008 and became the Deputy Chair in 2011. 

“Anne has brought to the NZVIF Board strong business and finance skills, knowledge of banking and investment, together with extensive governance experience in both Crown-owned and private companies,” Mr Joyce says. 

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today welcomed the announcement by Team New Zealand it would challenge for the 35^th America’s Cup and had secured money from private funders to last it until the end of the year.

“While they didn’t win the America’s Cup in San Francisco last time, Team New Zealand were excellent ambassadors for New Zealand throughout what became an epic contest,” Mr Joyce says.

The Government today appointed Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith to the Māori Economic Development Advisory Board. 

The Advisory Board, established in May 2013, monitors and evaluates the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa, the Crown-Māori Economic Growth Partnership.

“He kai kei aku ringa has six goals and education is a central part of three of these goals.  The Government believes an additional member with experience in this field is important to advise on the implementation of He kai kei aku ringa,” Mr Joyce says.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson today announced the formation of the Screen Advisory Board.

The Screen Advisory Board, announced by the Government in December 2013, will help the New Zealand screen sector create the skills and connections to be able to generate their own intellectual property, compete internationally and attract overseas finance.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Trade Minister Tim Groser today announced the reappointment of Karen Fistonich and Robin Hapi to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board.

“I would like to thank Karen and Robin for their work on the board since they were first appointed in 2011, and look forward to their continued contributions to the work of NZTE,” Mr Joyce says.

The Government’s comprehensive Business Growth Agenda is delivering greater business investment, more jobs and higher wages for New Zealanders, Finance Minister Bill English and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce say.

The two lead ministers today released the Business Growth Agenda – Future Direction 2014 report which outlines the significant progress the National Government has made in creating the conditions for businesses to invest for jobs and growth.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today announced a new study to evaluate opportunities for increasing investment, employment and incomes in the Bay of Plenty.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released the 2014 Regional Economic Activity Report, which highlights the importance of the natural resources sector to New Zealand’s regional economies.

The report, produced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, brings together comprehensive economic data on New Zealand’s 16 regions in one place. It also identifies specific initiatives under way in each region through the Government’s Business Growth Agenda. It is the second report in an annual series.

The new Business Growth Agenda initiatives in Budget 2014 will help reduce capacity constraints in the New Zealand economy and lift our productivity and long-term growth rate, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Budget 2014 contains funding for a range of initiatives across the six key inputs business needs to get ahead: building export markets, creating skilled and safe workplaces, developing our natural resources, building innovation, and capital investment and infrastructure.

New Zealand’s food and beverage industry is well positioned for substantial growth, with exports on track to double in value in the next 15 years to US$40 billion, according to reports released today.

Many key business sectors in New Zealand are evolving rapidly in response to the opportunities of the global economy and the digitisation of economic and social activities, according to two new Government reports released today.

The departure of prominent Labour MP Shane Jones this week confirms that a Labour-Greens coalition stands for no growth and fewer jobs, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

Speaking at the National Party’s Lower North Island Regional Conference in Masterton this morning, Mr Joyce says Jones’ departure speaks volumes about the Labour-Greens policy prescription for New Zealand.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce today released a study of the East Coast region’s economic potential over the next 30 years.

The East Coast Regional Economic Potential Study assesses the region’s economic performance and barriers to development, and models five economic growth scenarios along with their implications for transport infrastructure and the skills needed.