Budget 2008

Initiatives identified by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce from today’s Budget as being positive for business and an investment in the economy included:

• Increased funding for Ministry of Foreign Affairs – from a business perspective we would like some assurances that these funds will be targeted towards activity that will grow export opportunities for all NZ businesses.
   
• Beachheads – this activity is focused on high growth companies entering selected markets and should be further expanded.
   
• Broadband – the availability of a $500m fund to accelerate broadband access to business, local government and schools and to extend the reach of broadband to under-served regions.
   
• Simplification of tax compliance and therefore paperwork for SMEs.
   
• Skills strategy