The night gave British businesses the opportunity to meet with local New Zealand businesses and gain specialist advice on local industries. UKTI staff were available to assist local businesses looking to invest and expand in the UK.
Former All Blacks players, John Kirwan and Tana Umaga, were special guest speakers for the evening and they entertained the audience with their charm in an interview with the High Commissioner.
The British High Commissioner, Mrs Vicki Treadell said “I think British and New Zealand companies working together can conquer Asia’s markets. It’s about bringing together British capacity with New Zealand technology to go into the global market together.”
The New Zealand Minister for Trade, Tim Groser, commented “This is a huge business networking opportunity here and I have been talking to some truly inspirational British companies I have just met. It’s great as New Zealand and the United Kingdom can explore the 21st century together in Asia. We have amazing platforms in Asia. We have two Free Trade Agreements with China and Hong Kong. Why don’t we try and work together in the niche areas?”
Chris Cracknell, CEO of OCS Group said, “The turnout here at the Cloud has been great. We have been in this part of the world for 20 years and we really see the Asian axis as the dynamic hub that is going to drive the world’s economy for the next twenty years.” He continued, “New Zealand’s long standing relationship with China gives it a great advantage for British investment and trade.”
Chris Cracknell spoke about OCS’s strong emphasis on sustainable business practices, including the recent acquisition of Envirocomp - a unique New Zealand innovation allowing the composting of nappy, sanitary and incontinence waste. Chris highlighted OCS’s plans to expand the technology internationally, adding that Envirocomp was a “great example of meeting the sustainable demands of the future, taking a cross world approach.”
Please click here to visit the British Embassy in New Zealand for more information, or to watch the video of the event.