On Tuesday 28 November, a partnership event was hosted by Manawatū Young Chamber, in collaboration with Manawatū Business Chamber, New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Palmerston North Palmerston North City Council, Massey University and Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence.

Palmerston North May Grant Smith provided a robust overview of Pamly’s international activities and networks. Sister cities and strategic partnerships help extend and strengthen the networks that support the region’s needs and priorities.

SEA CAPE director Professor Siah Hwee Ang gave a keynote speech around why importing should no longer be playing second fiddle to exporting. He then joined an expert academia panel with Dr Wayne Macpherson, the Senior Lecturer from Massey University Business School and Dr Mohd Ridzuan Darun, the Academic Director of IPU.

The second panel discussion featured Shane Lowe, Marfiya Tatlik and Guy Phillips, who shared their experiences and insights in various industries and importing.

This event was a distinct inspiration and reflection of how New Zealand should define “diversification”. “More value-added exports and diversifying (the target markets of) our exports” are important, but New Zealand also need to “diversify our portfolio of product and service exports”, the SEA CAPE Director, Professor Siah Hwee Ang commented.