Top Beachheads appointments for Asia and India
The reach of the Beachheads Programme will be extended for exporters thanks to Budget 2007 and the appointment today of two leading Asian businessmen as chairs to new Beachheads Advisory Boards in South East Asia and India.
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The reach of the Beachheads Programme will be extended for exporters thanks to Budget 2007 and the appointment today of two leading Asian businessmen as chairs to new Beachheads Advisory Boards in South East Asia and India.
The appointments follow the Labour-led government's Budget investment in the expansion of the Beachheads Programme in Asia through a $4.4 million boost over four years. Beachheads is at the forefront of providing access to strategic advice and executive networks to New Zealand exporters in key markets, using industry and business experts.
Chuan Seng Lee has been appointed as chair of the new South East Asia Advisory Board and Pradip Madhavji as chair of the new India Board.
"I am delighted to announce these key appointments that will help ensure the new Asia Beachheads are well positioned to assist in driving New Zealand's export success in those markets. This is an important step in preparing for the anticipated increase in New Zealand companies seeking to expand into these important markets. With the help of Mr Lee and Mr Madhavji, I look forward to seeing the further expansion of the Asian Boards in the next 12 months with more businesspeople appointed to them," Trevor Mallard said.
"We have been very fortunate to secure these two talented market-based businesspeople as their experience and considerable expertise will add further weight to the exceptional calibre of existing industry experts at Beachheads companies' disposal. Their willingness to give their time and skills for the benefit of New Zealand and New Zealand business is to be applauded and is also testament to the value of this programme and the public-private partnerships that drive it.
"This is an important initiative for Export Year and its long-term goals of strengthening our exporting sector and encouraging our firms into exporting. Budget 2007 has also enabled government agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to expand its services in Asia.
"Making sure exporters understand the market and the competition, ensuring they are ready to enter the market, and giving them the support when there, are key elements of the Beachheads programme. The internationalisation of New Zealand companies is something that we all need to support if we are to transform the New Zealand economy and raise New Zealanders' standard of living."
The Beachheads Programme provides a customised services package that includes input and expertise from business experts in New Zealand and offshore. The Advisory Boards comprise highly successful local business leaders who have developed a wealth of knowledge and extensive business networks. They are committed to assisting New Zealand companies to be prepared to go global and to succeed in their target markets. Beachheads Advisory Board members around the world now include some of the world's leading sector specialists.
For more information on the Beachheads Programme visit www.nzte.govt.nz/beachheads
Advisory Board Chair biographies and comment
LEE, Chuan Seng - Chair of South East Asia Advisory Board
Mr Chuan Seng Lee is a New Zealand citizen and a Singapore permanent resident. He has a long and illustrious career in engineering in both countries. Mr Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the University of Auckland and worked on a range of engineering projects in New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s. He went on to work in the Phillipines, Singapore and Indonesia on a number of major projects.
In 1989 he took the position of Director of Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner (South East Asia) Pte Ltd in charge of various projects in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar and has grown the Beca Group's business into these countries as well as China. He is Chairman of Beca Asia Holdings Pte Ltd and Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SE Asia) Pte Ltd and Executive Director of Beca Group Ltd, New Zealand.
Mr Lee is a Member, Fellow or Chairman of a number of professional industry bodies and committees.
Chuan Seng Lee said strong growth potential for the South and South East Asia region is making the region an enticing prospect for New Zealand businesses.
"As our closest neighbour after Australia, the region has several key characteristics that provide good opportunities for New Zealand companies," he said
"This new South East Asia Beachhead will help New Zealanders access some of those exciting possibilities. Many global companies have located their Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore. New Zealand companies can take advantage of this and also use Singapore as a base to launch their business into the rest of this fast-growing region.
"What speeds up engagement is a direct introduction. The personal contacts that we can offer will help open doors faster for New Zealand suppliers and businesses. The Beachheads Programme is a very exciting development for New Zealand business in Asia and I am delighted to be part of it."
Pradip Madhavji - Chair of India Advisory Board
Mr Pradip Madhavji has a Bachelor of Arts, Commerce and Law from the University of Bombay and has considerable experience and expertise in travel and tourism, having joined Thomas Cook in 1977. He was the first Indian to lead the company's operations in India and was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian subsidiary for over 25 years. Prior to joining Thomas Cook Mr Madhavji worked for Dena bank where he was in charge of the bank's entire foreign exchange operations at the time of his departure.
Mr Madhavji sits on the Board of a number of leading companies, is a President or Past President of several professional travel trade and tourism associations and is the recipient of the Kutcha-Ratna, the highest honour bestowed by the community for his leadership qualities and his contribution to the tourism industry. In 2002 he was appointed the New Zealand Honorary Consul based in Mumbai.
"I am delighted to be taking up this key advisory role as we focus more on the importance of international linkages to New Zealand's future," said Pradip Madhavji. "There are significant opportunities in the Indian market for high growth New Zealand companies who have access to the right advice and assistance.
"The Indian market is a large and complex one characterised by some very powerful barriers to new entrants, particularly in terms of access to core business networks.
"I am dedicated to using my networks and expertise to overcome these barriers; to help find the optimal entry point for New Zealand companies selected for the programme and to provide support during and after the entry phase.
"My strategic location in India places me in a position to add value and further enhance economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Our countries share community and sporting links as well as common interests and traditions, particularly the language, openness and hospitality of the people. Bollywood has also discovered New Zealand."
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The reach of the Beachheads Programme will be extended for exporters thanks to Budget 2007 and the appointment today of two leading Asian businessmen as chairs to new Beachheads Advisory Boards in South East Asia and India.
The appointments follow the Labour-led government's Budget investment in the expansion of the Beachheads Programme in Asia through a $4.4 million boost over four years. Beachheads is at the forefront of providing access to strategic advice and executive networks to New Zealand exporters in key markets, using industry and business experts.
Chuan Seng Lee has been appointed as chair of the new South East Asia Advisory Board and Pradip Madhavji as chair of the new India Board.
"I am delighted to announce these key appointments that will help ensure the new Asia Beachheads are well positioned to assist in driving New Zealand's export success in those markets. This is an important step in preparing for the anticipated increase in New Zealand companies seeking to expand into these important markets. With the help of Mr Lee and Mr Madhavji, I look forward to seeing the further expansion of the Asian Boards in the next 12 months with more businesspeople appointed to them," Trevor Mallard said.
"We have been very fortunate to secure these two talented market-based businesspeople as their experience and considerable expertise will add further weight to the exceptional calibre of existing industry experts at Beachheads companies' disposal. Their willingness to give their time and skills for the benefit of New Zealand and New Zealand business is to be applauded and is also testament to the value of this programme and the public-private partnerships that drive it.
"This is an important initiative for Export Year and its long-term goals of strengthening our exporting sector and encouraging our firms into exporting. Budget 2007 has also enabled government agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to expand its services in Asia.
"Making sure exporters understand the market and the competition, ensuring they are ready to enter the market, and giving them the support when there, are key elements of the Beachheads programme. The internationalisation of New Zealand companies is something that we all need to support if we are to transform the New Zealand economy and raise New Zealanders' standard of living."
The Beachheads Programme provides a customised services package that includes input and expertise from business experts in New Zealand and offshore. The Advisory Boards comprise highly successful local business leaders who have developed a wealth of knowledge and extensive business networks. They are committed to assisting New Zealand companies to be prepared to go global and to succeed in their target markets. Beachheads Advisory Board members around the world now include some of the world's leading sector specialists.
For more information on the Beachheads Programme visit www.nzte.govt.nz/beachheads
Advisory Board Chair biographies and comment
LEE, Chuan Seng - Chair of South East Asia Advisory Board
Mr Chuan Seng Lee is a New Zealand citizen and a Singapore permanent resident. He has a long and illustrious career in engineering in both countries. Mr Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) from the University of Auckland and worked on a range of engineering projects in New Zealand in the 1970s and 1980s. He went on to work in the Phillipines, Singapore and Indonesia on a number of major projects.
In 1989 he took the position of Director of Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner (South East Asia) Pte Ltd in charge of various projects in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar and has grown the Beca Group's business into these countries as well as China. He is Chairman of Beca Asia Holdings Pte Ltd and Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner (SE Asia) Pte Ltd and Executive Director of Beca Group Ltd, New Zealand.
Mr Lee is a Member, Fellow or Chairman of a number of professional industry bodies and committees.
Chuan Seng Lee said strong growth potential for the South and South East Asia region is making the region an enticing prospect for New Zealand businesses.
"As our closest neighbour after Australia, the region has several key characteristics that provide good opportunities for New Zealand companies," he said
"This new South East Asia Beachhead will help New Zealanders access some of those exciting possibilities. Many global companies have located their Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore. New Zealand companies can take advantage of this and also use Singapore as a base to launch their business into the rest of this fast-growing region.
"What speeds up engagement is a direct introduction. The personal contacts that we can offer will help open doors faster for New Zealand suppliers and businesses. The Beachheads Programme is a very exciting development for New Zealand business in Asia and I am delighted to be part of it."
Pradip Madhavji - Chair of India Advisory Board
Mr Pradip Madhavji has a Bachelor of Arts, Commerce and Law from the University of Bombay and has considerable experience and expertise in travel and tourism, having joined Thomas Cook in 1977. He was the first Indian to lead the company's operations in India and was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian subsidiary for over 25 years. Prior to joining Thomas Cook Mr Madhavji worked for Dena bank where he was in charge of the bank's entire foreign exchange operations at the time of his departure.
Mr Madhavji sits on the Board of a number of leading companies, is a President or Past President of several professional travel trade and tourism associations and is the recipient of the Kutcha-Ratna, the highest honour bestowed by the community for his leadership qualities and his contribution to the tourism industry. In 2002 he was appointed the New Zealand Honorary Consul based in Mumbai.
"I am delighted to be taking up this key advisory role as we focus more on the importance of international linkages to New Zealand's future," said Pradip Madhavji. "There are significant opportunities in the Indian market for high growth New Zealand companies who have access to the right advice and assistance.
"The Indian market is a large and complex one characterised by some very powerful barriers to new entrants, particularly in terms of access to core business networks.
"I am dedicated to using my networks and expertise to overcome these barriers; to help find the optimal entry point for New Zealand companies selected for the programme and to provide support during and after the entry phase.
"My strategic location in India places me in a position to add value and further enhance economic and cultural relations between the two countries. Our countries share community and sporting links as well as common interests and traditions, particularly the language, openness and hospitality of the people. Bollywood has also discovered New Zealand."