Deeper understanding of Asia called for

Our rapidly expanding trade with Asian countries underscores the important role Asia already plays for New Zealand, the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) says.

“Our business future is rooted firmly in Asia,” said Alasdair Thompson, EMA’s chief executive.

“The importance of the Business Education Partnership launched today by the Asia New Zealand Foundation cannot be overstated.

“We’re already dependent on Asia’s success, on our own account and also as a result of our economic integration with Australia.

“The Business Education Partnership project is an urgent reminder of what we need to do to maximise the benefit from our Asian relationships.

“The top three export destinations for New Zealand goods and services, after Australia and the US, are all Asian: China, Japan and Korea.

“Our exports of manufactured products to China alone shot up 62 per cent in the past 12 months to September, not counting dairy or logs, to earn $1 billion.

“In fact our processed food exports to China, again not counting dairy, meat or seafood, went up by over 140 per cent in the past year to earn $350 million.

“That indicates the speed of our trade development in the region.

“New Zealand exports of manufactured goods to Asian countries in all earned over $3.7 billion, second only to Australia.

“New Zealand’s manufactured goods earn well over $200 million a year from each of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan

“To do even better in our Asian future, our young people need a far deeper understanding of Asian cultures, languages and peoples.

“This will requires us to change our way of thinking, and the priorities of our education systems.”