WELLINGTON: New Zealand first congratulates the organisers of this important conference. We thank you for the opportunity to explain how our policies support SMEs. Our policy objectives are clear – in relation to SMEs, they are designed to help small to medium sized businesses thrive.
When SMEs grow, invest and innovate everyone wins – as they generate profits, jobs and tax revenue. SMEs cover a wide spectrum as they operate in all sectors of our economy spread throughout New Zealand. In reality, there are few major policies that do not have an impact on their performance in one way or another
That is why when thinking about support for SMEs a comprehensive approach is required. When an SME driver is stuck in an Auckland traffic jam for hours that impacts on productivity. When SMEs are faced with rapacious energy companies constantly putting up power prices that impacts on profitability.
When international corporates pay their fair share of tax, the tax burden on SMEs can be reduced. That is why we have been urging government to get serious about closing tax loopholes for corporates and multi-nationals.
