NZMEBC News
-
Feb 2012
The Government’s Strategy to Maximise Economic Opportunities in the Middle East
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Murray McCully, has agreed to speak at a luncheon specially organised by the NZ Middle East Business Council for him to address the subject of government initiatives associated with maximising economic activity for New Zealand companies in the Middle East. The Minister has recently returned from another visit to the Middle East and is keen to outline the strategy he has developed to ensure that New Zealand companies have the opportunity to take advantage of commercial opportunities that will be good both for business and for New Zealand.
The luncheon will be hosted by Kensington Swan on the following date:
Thursday March 1, 12–2 pm
Reception room of Kensington Swan,
Ground Floor, 18 Viaduct Harbour Ave, Auckland City
Cost: $55/head (incl GST) to members
Members may bring a non-member guest for $75 (incl GST)Please rsvp to: Michelle.Boag@nzmebc.org.nz with your name, the number of tickets you want (member and non-member) plus names and we will respond with payment options.
Please note we are restricted in numbers so please RSVP as soon as possible.
-
Feb 2012
Appointment of Executive Adviser to Advance Strategic Plan
Chairman of the Middle East Business Council, Mr Michael Vukcevic, today announced the appointment of Michelle Boag as Executive Adviser to the Council to assist with the advancement of the recently developed Strategic Plan.
Ms Boag is a Strategic Communications Specialist who has been engaged to focus on furthering the Council’s strategic objectives in respect of the promotion of business opportunities in the Middle East. She has also been asked to explore and implement activities to enhance the value proposition for members of the Council, arrange and co-ordinate appropriate events and explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities with relevant organizations and companies.
Mr Vukcevic said that Ms Boag’s extensive networks and experience within business and political circles would provide the Council with a much needed professional resource to take the organization to the next level in terms of what it provides for members.
“As a voluntarily resourced organization to date, we have been able to bring together companies, organizations and individuals with an interest in the Middle East and use that collaboration to our collective benefit. However the engagement of the professional skills provided by Ms Boag means we can take a more proactive approach to the opportunities that are presented by the growing interest in trade activity in the Middle East and North Africa,” Mr Vukcevic said.
Ms Boag is available to all members at Michelle.Boag@nzmebc.org.nz or on 021 940 884.
-
June 2011
Major NZIIA conference event in Wellington
The Arab Spring: What are the driving forces; Where is it heading; What are the Implications for the region and beyond?
The NZIIA major conference event of 2011is to be held in Wellington on 2 August 2011, at Turnbull House, Bowen Street, Wellington.
-
June 2011
Opportunities in UAE still numerous
NZMEBC memebers Kensington Swann have submitted this article for Network News
The so-called 'Arab Spring' has caused significant disruption to the economies of many Middle Eastern countries. From Muscat to Marrakesh, local populations across the Arab world are protesting against high unemployment, inflation, corruption, and authoritarian governments – with very few exceptions.
Governments are taking steps to quell unrest in an attempt to restore stability to the region. In Bahrain – previously seen as a stable state in which a number of foreign banks are headquartered – the government declared a state of emergency following anti-government protests undertaken in mid-March by the majority (but underrepresented) Shiite Muslim population. In Oman, the government has announced economic stimulus packages that will result in the creation of jobs to pander to protests from the nation's underemployed youth – although in some eyes, the jobs aren't being created fast enough.
However, the UAE is isolated from the political upheaval faced by many of its neighbouring countries. Tourism numbers are up, as those Arabs that can afford to travel look towards the relative safety of Dubai and Abu Dhabi – indeed, hotel operators are looking to Dubai as an 'island of security' amongst a sea of Middle Eastern unrest. Foreign professional services firms too are also focusing on the Abu Dhabi and Dubai markets – as economic uncertainty elsewhere has lead to offices scaling back operations or redeploying staff.
Why the confidence in the UAE's ongoing stability? The UAE has a small local (Emirati) population amongst which the country's immense wealth is freely distributed under benevolent government policies. The government's Emiratisation projects encourage firms to employ Emiratis; and the government's housing projects provide free accommodation to Emirati families. While universal suffrage is still far from a reality, the National Council's recent moves to increase suffrage are encouraging. In short, the well-paid and well-fed Emirati population has little to complain about – and as such, unrest in the UAE is unlikely in the foreseeable future.
This means that the opportunities in the UAE remain numerous. For those with an Arab 'spring' in their step; now is the time to explore and investigate investing further in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
-
June 2011
Americas Cup event showcase for New Zealand talent
NZMEBC members were recently treated to a fascinating, blow by blow account of the huge efforts being taken to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of world sailing by Emerates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton. On 18th April NZMEBC hosted a members drinks evening at the Emirates Team New Zealand Americas Cup village at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
Attendees were taken on a hands-on tour of both the Americas Cup A45 catamaran and the Camper VO70 yacht to be raced in the 2011-12 Volvo ocean race.
The 45ft catamaran will be used in 2013 America's Cup pre-regattas. Built at Warkworth with a design team of more than 30 people, it is the precursor of the AC72 catamaran that will race in the America's Cup itself.
The Camper V070 yacht was designed in-house by the Emirates Team New Zealand design team and engineers were working on the yacht while the NZMEBC group was below decks. The level of design excellence in every aspect of the technology was obvious to everyone.
Attendees were left in no doubt of New Zealand's capacity to develop the highest levels of engineering innovation and that we are fortunate that the Emerates airlines sponsorship is helping to showcase this to the world.
Martin Fowler
-
June 2011
NZMEBC welcomes new Trade Commissioner at event
NZTE's recently appointed Trade Commissioner to Dubai, Steve Jones, reflected on his recent pre-assignment visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi at a recent 'After 5' function hosted by the MEBC at Kensington Swan's offices. Steve's objectives during the visit were to meet with range of local and New Zealand contacts and local economic commentators to review economic conditions in the GCC & beyond. During this time NZTE's CE, GM International, and Regional Director (EMEA) all spent time in the Dubai, reflecting the growing importance of the region to NZ. This will be reflected in the NZ Inc high level strategy for the Middle East which will be prepared over the coming months with input from businesses and other stakeholders.
-
June 2011
Strategy session
The NZMEBC executive is developing our first ever fromalised long term strategy. The executive will be meeting on June 28th for a session facilitated by Martin Fowler to build a 3-5 year plan that will look at how we are adding value for our members and where we might aim in the future. This will be followed by a session on Thursday July 21st open to all finincial members to build on the plan and snsure all views are considered. The plan will then be ratified at the AGM in August.
