At PrintNZ’s Focus on the Future conference last year, preliminary results from PNZ’s printing industry survey found a significant number of printing and print supply companies saw China as a potential threat to the local industry.
China is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner, growing faster than any other market, and the government is working to facilitate a free trade agreement by April 2008.
While the majority of exporters felt China was an important destination for New Zealand goods and services, 69 per cent are still wary about doing business with China and want more support to help facilitate trade.
“China is seen as a significant opportunity for receiving New Zealand goods and services such as agriculture, food, beverages, wood and building products and education, New Zealand businesses are concerned about the obstacles presented when trading with this emerging global power,” says Derek Anderson, General Manager, DHL Express.
Nearly 70 per cent of the respondents said there were major barriers to New Zealand companies exporting to China. Over half of these (54 per cent) perceived language as a problem and 44 per cent had concerns about red tape. Other barriers included difficulty with intellectual property protection (37 per cent), the complex regulatory environment and cultural differences (both 36 per cent), and having no local relationships or partners (30 per cent).
The key areas seen as crucial for support are advice, mentoring, information and research. Nearly 50 per cent of respondents felt that national branding campaigns to showcase New Zealand in China was important, 46 per cent wanted access to local markets and networks, and 41 per cent stated more New Zealand business and government trade delegation visits to China would help. The survey also found that more government or private funding was needed (38 per cent).
