Manufacturing Sector Engagement
The manufacturing sector is healthy overall with some sub-industries (in particular the food and beverage industry) experiencing good growth. Manufacturing's contribution to GDP grew by 12% between 2000 and 2006 while GDP as a whole grew by 22% (Statistics New Zealand GDP data series). In the same period the number of manufacturing firms increased 7%.
Between 2000 and 2006 there was a net increase in employment in manufacturing. According to the Business Demography statistics this increase equated to 31,870 new manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2006 or an increase of 14%.
In August 2005 the Manufacturing Vision Group was convened. They released the publication Manufacturing Plus [link to NZTE website] in November 2006. The report advances a Vision Statement and a Value Creation Model for the manufacturing sector. It sets out to raise the profile of the sector with government and across the economy generally. It contains sixteen recommendations for government.
On 7 August 2007 the Government released its response, which included actions responding to the specific recommendations for government contained in the report and a summary of other government initiatives that have the potential for a positive impact on manufacturing, but go beyond the specific recommendations to government.
As part of its response the Government announced the establishment of the Manufacturing Advisory Group, an industry-led group to advise the Minister for Industry and Regional Development on issues material to the development of the manufacturing sector.
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