ExportNZ says Callaghan Innovation, the new Crown Entity that is aiming to increase both public and private investment in research to grow more innovative exports, should ensure it is focused on business needs.

 Executive Director of ExportNZ, Catherine Beard (left) says while investment in fundamental research remains important, we also need our scientists and researchers to focus on near-term business requirements that are customer led.

 “If we want to boost our exports and develop more internationally competitive companies we need to focus on innovation and have a valuable point of difference,” Catherine Beard said.

 “Scientists that can get alongside business to help turbocharge an innovative culture will be helping to grow our exports. Ensuring our exporters to have a unique point of difference and can compete at the top end of the market is important. In a relatively high cost manufacturing environment this is the only way we will stay globally competitive.

“The proof of success will be increased investment in R & D from the private and public sectors (currently low by international standards), leading to increasingly high-value exports and increased collaboration between our science and business talent.”