Exploring new investment opportunities and strengthening existing relationships is the focus of this month’s New Zealand Tonga Business Council (NZTBC) mission to the Friendly Islands.
Interest in the inaugural mission has been great and there are over 30 people in the delegation travelling to Nuku’alofa on February 15, before returning to Auckland on February 18.
Chair of the NZTBC Sione Taufa says the delegation will also be a part of Tanoa International Dateline Hotel’s grand opening in Tonga’s capital.
“There are people coming from a wide range of industries, including from infrastructure, renewable energy, energy storage, education, health care, the NZ Government, tourism and consumer goods,” Sione says.
“Companies vary from SME’s to big corporates, and there is also a representative from Maori Iwi attending as well.”
NZTBC has organised a jam-packed three days, where delegates will attend business breakfasts, conference style presentations, one-on-one meetings, site visits, networking events, a trade showcase and Tanoa International Dateline Hotel’s grand opening, by His Majesty King Tupou VI.
Sione, a Senior Tutor at the Accounting and Finance Department, at the University of Auckland Business School, has been Chair of NZTBC since May 2016, and prior to that he was NZTBC Vice Chair for two years.
Along with being a nation renowned for its friendly residents, Tonga has plenty to offer investors looking to do business in the Pacific region, Sione says.
“It has unique human capital, with well educated, English-speaking people; and it boasts an economy with great potential – industries are still growing, so there is a lot of room for development,” Sione says.
“Tonga has the untapped potential of a rapidly growing youth population; and a special cultural heritage which is seen in all aspects of life – and in business.”
Throughout 2017, NZTBC will be looking to build on progress made in 2016 and continue to provide social and business networking events for its members.
“We also want to work on set goals to help facilitate increased trade between Tonga and New Zealand.”
For now, however, the focus is on delivering what is shaping up to be an extremely successful business mission to Tonga.