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Scores of Wairarapa businesses are tapping into valuable support, advice and training through the Government's Enterprise Training Programme, Wairarapa MP Georgina Beyer said today.
In the past year 1120 people from 172 businesses across the Wairarapa and Tararua region accessed support through the programme, run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). Local companies received grants designed to help develop and expand their businesses. Nationally more than 12,300 businesses used the programme and 1078 received grants.
"I am sure that support for local businesses has contributed to 4.5 percent economic growth in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, and 3.4 percent in greater Wellington.
"Our region has had positive annual economic growth for 24 consecutive quarters now, including every quarter under a Labour-led government since the election in 1999," Ms Beyer said.
Most of those assisted were small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up 96.3 per cent of all businesses in New Zealand.
The Enterprise Training programme includes free specialist training, business management workshops, training on raising capital, and how to start, expand or diversify a business.
"Many government policies have specifically concentrated on reducing the barriers to growth for smaller enterprises. By supporting local ventures our government is helping people to build great businesses.
"SMEs can celebrate many achievements. An IRD survey of 2300 businesses found that average tax compliance costs between 1992 and 2004, fell by 50 percent for medium sized firms and 40 percent for small firms.
"We recently unveiled a $2.84 million package to standardise Statistics New Zealand's data collection, a $40 million package to help small technology businesses with high growth potential access investment funds, announced a web-based industry information, and launched a new on-line time-and money saving way for government departments to consult with businesses. This is all great for business," Ms Beyer said.
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