A new information roadshow aimed at helping small businesses start up, better manage themselves and grow, with help from the government, was launched in Dunedin late last month by the Minister for Small Business, Clayton Cosgrove.
“The people in these case-studies want to share their stories so other business owners won’t have to say, I wish I’d known about that,” Mr Cosgrove said.
He said the event has been inspired by the feedback from small business owners around the country who have said they are aware that government assistance exists but often, because of the volume of information available, don’t know where to find it or what exactly they can get.
“There is a wide range of information and services available for small businesses, but bringing it all together can be hard,” said Mr Cosgrove. “In response we have gathered the key services and programmes provided by the government into one useful publication.”
Joining Mr Cosgrove at the launch were representatives of the key government agencies relevant for small businesses.
“The Dunedin information event was the first of 12 being held around the country. We want to get out into the regions and talk with small firms face-to-face so they can maximise the potential of their businesses.”
Mr Cosgrove said small businesses are the backbone of the New Zealand economy, accounting for 97% of all firms and employing 31 percent of the workforce.
“Small businesses are key partners in the government’s efforts to transform New Zealand’s economy,” Mr Cosgrove said. “That is why we will be on the road ensuring businesses know how and where to find the government help they need to succeed. “
Mr Cosgrove said a lot of good work is being done for small businesses by all the agencies and, as one example, points to the 95,000 people who have logged on to the recently developed, web-based business portal.
He also cited the hard work that went into maintaining New Zealand’s second place ranking in the World Bank ease of doing Business Survey 2007.
“We are in a strong position this year to take the top spot because of the excellent work being done by the Companies Office for example,” he said. “As a result of their work, business incorporation and tax registration - a process which 3 years ago took 11 days to complete - now takes less than one hour.”
Mr Cosgrove acknowledged the recent closure of three large businesses in Dunedin despite the strong New Zealand economy, saying if anything, it reinforced the importance of supporting the growth and development of the many smaller businesses in the local region. There are 22,478 small businesses in the Otago region, and they account for a third of Otago’s total employment.
The information seminars will be held in regional centres from Whangarei to Invercargill between 20 May and 26 June 2008. Mr Cosgrove and his colleagues - Internal Affairs Minister, Rick Barker, Statistics Minister, Darren Hughes and Tourism Minister, Damien O’Connor - will attend most of the events as will the key government agencies, including Inland Revenue, ACC, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Department of Labour, Ministry of Social Development, Statistics New Zealand, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Development.
