Bay of plenty JANUARY 2020 VOLUME 4: ISSUE 1
W W W. B O P B U S I N E S S N E W S . C O . N Z
FA C E B O O K . C O M / B O P B U S I N E S S N E W S
OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK FOR THE BAY’S ECONOMY IN 2020
The Bay of Plenty economy is expected to remain strong for the coming year with solid underlying growth and good prospects for 2020, say local business leaders. By DAVID PORTER
“
The regional economy is still very strong and sentiment appears to be really good,” said Nigel Tutt, chief executive, Priority One. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive
Matt Cowley added that businesses in the Bay were cautiously optimistic about 2020. But there are two main factors that are likely to affect what sort of year we have. The first is, of course, external issues that are largely beyond New Zealand’s control.
Port a key driver of the Bay’s continuing economic success. Photo/Port of Tauranga.
Recent years have been notable for a greater degree of international political and economic volatility than we have seen since the world emerged from the Global Financial Crisis.
Pre-election impact
The regional economy is still very strong and sentiment appears to be really good.” - Nigel Tutt, Priority One. Nigel Tutt
on-off trade wars with various major partners, and Britain’s protracted Brexit problems, as well as political changes and unrest in regions from South America to the Middle East have all played a part in heightening instability.
The erratic US approach to trade by President Donald Trump’s government, the
The other major issue for New Zealand business is the fact that 2020 is an election year. There is a positive side to that. The New Zealand government, which has been regularly accused of incompetence during its term - think Kiwibuild - and of a lack of coherence and coordination between the three coalition parties, is likely to go out of its way to prime the economic pump in 2020. Continued on page 5
IMPACT INVESTING Purpose Capital raises $20 million.
P9
PORT OF TAURANGA Chairman David Pilkington wins top national award.
P15
NETWORKING National Business Network event lined up for 2020.
P18