New Zealand Trade and Enterprise organised the ‘Talk Turkey Roadshow,’ in June, which was attended by Trade Commissioner and Consul General for Turkey, Clare Wilson and Turkey Country Manager Erhan Dagdemir.
We have much to learn from Turkey.
New Zealand’s Budget 2012 marks new challenges and opportunities.
Some people think that it is a realistic budget of zero growth because of our rising external debt. We have a Government that is keen to sell our national assets to local or foreign buyers.
A majority of New Zealanders are disappointed.
Emulating success
Prime Minister John Key added to our concern by saying that his Government was ready to sell because New Zealand is a rich country with rich natural resources. I found this argument unacceptable.
Strategic alliances and strategic partnership are important in today’s world and small countries like New Zealand cannot survive without forming such pacts, which accrue benefits including improving our competitiveness.
A strategic alliance between Turkey and New Zealand would be beneficial to both countries in the long term.
Turkish businesses can also help in rebuilding Christchurch.
Turkish businesses have become successful in national and international business with their sound economic management, strategic planning and financial acumen.
The country exports its products and services to 190 countries around the world. It is poised to become the ninth largest economy in the world by 2050.
People in Turkey share the ambition of their Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to maintain growth and development.
Turkish investment
Turkish businesses are willing to invest in New Zealand’s halal meat as this industry has huge potential in the Muslim world.
Their investment would be timely because many Muslims meat workers are unemployed in Christchurch.
They can also invest in Agresearch (Hamilton), injecting additional capital to develop this industry and generate employment opportunities.
If these ventures succeed, they would bring huge investment to New Zealand through Islamic banks.
The Ernst & Young Inaugural World Islamic Banking Competitiveness Report 2011 estimated that Islamic banking assets with commercial banks globally would reach US$1.1 trillion in 2012, a significant jump of 33% from their 2010 level.
I believe that the New Zealand Government is ready to create a conducive environment to Arab investors to invest not only in Halal meat but also in technology, because we have top scientists and venture capitalists.
It is time to go far than beyond ‘Talk Turkey Roadshow’ and our Government should invite Mr Erdogan to visit New Zealand to form a Strategic Alliance between the two countries.
Dr Saad Al Harran is a Business Consultant in Islamic Microfinance Enterprise and Youth Entrepreneurship. He lives in Palmerston North.
Email: nasriah2011@yahoo.com
