Poutama International - Towards 2020
Poutama helps Māori business identify, investigate and enter export markets. Additionally Poutama also assists with import opportunities and is also looking at opportunities for Māori to invest offshore.
As we move towards 2020, Poutama will become increasingly involved in identifying and assessing opportunities in the wider Asia area. While trading ties with Japan and Sth Korea will continue, China and India are well on their way to being economic powerhouses. Other countries in the Asia region such as Malaysia and Vietnam are also experiencing growth. Keep an eye out for Indonesia, with the world's fourth largest population, a growing middle class and it being the closest Asian country to NZ, Indonesia holds enormous potential.
As with 2010 China will continue to be focus during 2011. Activities to date include:
- In March Poutama, Wakatu Inc & Whakatohea Maori Trust Board visited the coastal city of Yantai to meet with Oriental Oceans Sci Tech Ltd http://en.yt-fishery.com. The purpose of the visit was to further discussions with Oriental Ocean on establishing sea cucumber farming in New Zealand. While there is still a lot of work to be done there is the possibility that Maori with help of the Chinese could be at the forefront of a new aquaculture industry.
- Also in March Poutama was able to join Wakatu at the launch and opening of a office for a joint venture mussel company in Shanghai. The company 'Pure NZ Greenshell Mussel Co' www.purenzgreenshell.com is a JV between Wakatu Inc, Sealord, Sanfords and NZ Greenshell Mussels
- During June Poutama Trustees Mavis Mullins & Craig Ellison were part of a Maori buisness delegation that visited China. Meetings were held in Guizhou, Southern China around Maori support for farming activities as well as with Guizhou University. Mavis and Craig also met with Guangzhou based travel company GZL International Travel Services and China Southern Air . Discussions are being held with GZL on bringing them to NZ to experience Maori tourism products.
- Poutama along with the Maori Trustee & Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd are currently carrying out valuation and due diligence into the possible purchase of Shanghai based Kiwi owned food and beverage distribution company NZ-China Direct
- Leading up to November Poutama will be working with Maori tourism operators that want to particpate in the Tourism NZ roadshow in China.
Other offshore activities include;
- Support of and participation in Matariki 2011 celebration in conjunction with Air NZ to be held at the Air NZ Koru Lounge in Los Angeles. Maori food, beverage, art, culture and tourism will be promoted at the celebration to a tageted audience. The outcome of this is that a larger Matariki event is being planned in LA for 2012, will keep you posted.
- Poutama is talking with Dutch and German travel companies on the marketing of Maori tourism into these markets this may result in a Maori tourism trade mission to UK, Holland and Germany.
Poutama has organised and led
Māori
Tourism and Food & Beverage marketing missions across the globe: