See the release from the government:
The government has committed $6.85 million to a carefully targeted economic recovery package to help Canterbury businesses severely affected by the two major earthquakes get back on their feet.
The package includes money for business recovery coordinators, international visits for exporters to key clients, a trust fund for those in need following the quakes, and more money for workshops and business training.
"This is a needs-based package developed in conjunction with the Canterbury business community – it reflects what they’ve told us they need and we’ll continue talking in the months ahead to respond as their needs change," Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said.
Mr Brownlee and Acting Economic Development Minister David Carter made the announcement in Christchurch today alongside Canterbury business leaders.
Mr Carter said the funding would go towards local initiatives that would help restore the confidence of businesses, maintain their financial liquidity, and support ongoing operations.
"The package includes $1.7 million to extend the reach of the local recovery team by recruiting new business recovery coordinators.
"The new coordinators will assess businesses’ needs and refer them to the right services, as well as facilitate access to funding sources," Mr Carter said.
A one-off donation of $2.5 million has been earmarked for the Canterbury Business Recovery Trust Fund, a new private sector initiative that will help fund the needs identified by local businesses, like professional services or relocation costs.
The fund has been set up by the Canterbury Business Recovery Group – led by the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and the Canterbury Development Corporation – to facilitate business-to-business donations.
To help build confidence in doing business with New Zealand following the February earthquake, a $2 million fund to support visits to international markets by earthquake affected export businesses will be made available through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. This will cover 75 per cent of eligible travel expenses.
A further $650,000 will also be made available for businesses to access training, workshops and business coaching.
Mr Brownlee said while a significant number of Canterbury businesses were fully operational the government knew it wasn’t easy for some to get back on their feet after so many setbacks.
"By taking a partnership approach to economic recovery, we're aiming to put the right people and the right services where they can make the most difference," he said.
"Exporters have expressed concerns about how people outside New Zealand perceive the ongoing effects of the earthquake on business.
"The funding to support visits to international markets will help them meet clients face-to-face, reinforce ongoing relationships and reassure them that Christchurch, and New Zealand, is open for business."
Mr Brownlee and Mr Carter said the government would continue to work in partnership with Canterbury’s business sector to develop further initiatives to help local businesses get trading again.
The $6.85 million funding for the economic recovery package will come from a realignment of funding within the Ministry of Economic Development and New Zealand Trade and Enterprises baselines.
7 Comments
Is this a joke?
GET TO THE REAL ISSUES!
Stop these ridiculous smokescreens.
For God's sake $6.85m is less than the bloody weekly rent on the cordoned off and wrecked buildings in the CBD alone! Let alone the buisness income losses.
These guys are so out of touch and just don't know what to do, they need to move aside and let the private sector and individuals sort out there own issues!
WHY THE HELL DO WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY IN NEW ZEALAND.
WHY IS NO ONE OUTSIDE THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS REALLY PUSHING THE ISSUE.
BUISNESS LEADERS IN AUCKLAND AND WELIINGTON PLEASE HELP US - THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU TOO!
I do not get this, the businesses that were operating know what there trade is. They do not need training or coaching , they need cashflow to start up again. Exporters? I'm in exporting and most of exporters are not in the CBD, what are they going on about? The primary producers are as busy as ever and earthquake had little effect on them at all as most are on Fringes of CBD. These businesses still have there contacts they just need somewhere to work from and some vital equipment and they will be away again. Tackle the real issues, don't put in another level of management.
But the trainers need the money FCM....and the spin goes down so well with the poodle media....and it was a kneeejerk reaction to the small business owners getting a boot in the bum from civil defence...that was bad press...can't have that sort of development can we!
Wally, if the Government think that what they've had so far is bad press, well they ain't seen nothing yet!
They just don't get it.
There are literally thousands of business and property owners with the most dangerous asset of all. TIME. No one can work on their business or properties so they have got all the time in the world to kick up a stink.
At the same time - no productive work is being done and no tax is being paid! The Government are the biggest losers from their crass stupidity.
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