WELLINGTON: With a downturn in the sector, regional companies could look at exporting more than just the natural resources to overseas markets.
In the midst of an oil and gas downturn in Taranaki, companies may have an opportunity to export their expertise overseas
However, their key transferable skills would not relate to oil and gas production overseas, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise business development manager Rob Little said.
“The oil and gas market is definitely changing and those companies need to be flexible to change,” he said.
The expertise developed within the sector was exceptionally versatile, Little said.
“Some of their key attributes are their high performance requirements which translate pretty well.”
Thing like health and safety practices and certificates needed to work in the sector could easily be transferred to similar operations in the utilities sector for example, Little said.
“It’s those kinds of things… which they are particularly good at in Taranaki.”
Little will be in New Plymouth next week as part of the NZTE roadshow on how to win international government business.
Over the past four years there has been an increase in interest from New Zealand companies vying for Australian government contracts in particular, he said.
Little said despite there being some sensitivity around government contracts going to foreign companies, New Zealanders were increasing well regarded in the Australian market.
“It’s quite a good time to be a New Zealander in the Australian government because we’ve got pretty good government stability and quite comprehensive and effective services with a lot of resource.”
“We’ve got similars values, a lot of integrity… it quite surprised me how much Australian trust New Zealanders.”
The roadshow was about understanding the Australian market, the opportunities available and the key relationships that need to be built in order to be successful over the ditch, Little said.
It was vital that New Zealand companies knew the due diligence they would need to complete in order to win contracts, so they didn’t bite off more than they could chew, he said.
Whilst winning these overseas contracts increased international perception of Taranaki companies, it did not take jobs from region, but rather created several positions overseas as well, he said.
