Tony
Nowell
CEO Griffins Ltd
Chairman ASEAN NZ Business council
Chairman NZ food and grocery council
Chairman NZ Government food and beverage taskforce
Personal
background
Tony Nowell was based for 3years as the CEO of Loreal in Indonesia. He was headhunted
by Sara Lee in Singapore to become vice-president of the Asia Pacific Region.
He is also involved in facilitating trade between New Zealand and Asia in his
specialist area.
Position
of NZ in Asia Pacific for trade
New Zealand is an export nation with 50% of our GDP coming from exports. Our
primary industries are based around pasture, which are very important to the
economic health of the nation. The Closer Economic Partnership achieved with
Singapore can act as an investment platform, a source of capital and a stepping-stone
to the greater Asia. Also other free trade agreements, with Thailand and Malaysia
for example, will provide opportunities to open new markets.
Relevance of Free
Trade Agreements to New Zealand
Tony sees New Zealand as a small craft in a large ocean and throughout his speech
he emphasised the need for New Zealand to engage and “mind the global
periphery”.
New Zealand, according to Tony, needs to find small niche markets and exploit
our boutique industries.
Tony emphasised the importance of ABAC and top-to-top discussions between business
leaders. He stressed the importance for CEOs’ to talk within New Zealand
and to overseas counterparts, with a willingness on the part of business to
break down blockages in governments.
Geographical
Considerations
There is an importance for multinational groups to continuing growing by accessing
new markets but we must be mindful of cultural impediments. We must be mindful
of fundamental business differences. APEC and ABAC smooth the way by breaking
down subsidies, corruption and acting upon malpractice.
Quotes
“The only way we are going to learn to be successful in these markets
ultimately, is to have our people moving”.
“Don’t be afraid to take those risks, they’re life changing”.
Contributed by: Ainsley Thompson and Sarah-Jane Wardle