BusinessNZ has welcomed the latest report for the Business Growth Agenda, Building Natural Resources.

 “The Government’s vision of improving the quality of our natural resource base while sustaining growth in key sectors is both challenging and appropriate,” says BusinessNZ Chief Executive Phil O’Reilly.

 “Our land, freshwater, farms, forests, minerals, marine resources and energy sources are the springboard for much of New Zealand’s wealth and will be the basis for a key objective of the Business Growth Agenda – growing exports to 40 percent of our GDP by 2025.

“This will require buy-in from all sectors of New Zealand as we take a sustainable approach to resource development. It is an area where partnership is important – business, Maori business, communities, central and local government all have a role to play separately and in partnerships.

“Business supports the approach of greening the whole economy, not just particular sectors. This means every business in New Zealand, small or large, can play a part.

“BusinessNZ is ready to partner with others to urgently progress a number of projects to help unlock our natural resource wealth.”

Mr O’Reilly said key projects included:

• Developing indicators to measure progress on greening economic growth

• Partnership projects with Maori business relating to natural resources

• Support work alongside the ETS to reduce New Zealand emissions.

• Integrating different capacity building programmes for business

“Innovative and sustainable use of natural resources should be the shared focus of business of all kinds, central and local government and communities as we seek to grow our exports and economy.”