Latest news with #LeeannWatson
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Businesses Backed Through Investment Boost
Business Canterbury welcomes the delivery of Budget 2025, which appropriately signals the importance of business in the recovery of our economy with the centrepiece 'Investment Boost' initiative. Business Canterbury Chief Executive, Leeann Watson says, "The key measures of success in this budget for businesses were, does it provide a platform for growth, does it help keep inflation and interest rates low, and does it continue to address our infrastructure deficit." "Businesses have been hesitant to invest and grow recently, despite growing confidence in the future strength of the economy. The 'Investment Boost' initiative announced today will provide an incentive and give businesses confidence to activate their growth plans, knowing they can reduce the financial impact at a time when cash is still tight. "This is particularly important for small businesses, which contribute 40 per cent to GDP and employ 600,000 New Zealanders. "We know that in certain sectors like manufacturing, automation and efficiency gains come at a significant cost. 'Investment Boost' will be a great platform for productivity gains that will enable growth right across the economy. It is business growth that will drive economic recovery, job creation and income growth for all New Zealanders. "Infrastructure will continue to challenge us as a growing region. Infrastructure deficits require a constant and expanding pipeline of work so that when the economy turns a corner, we have the infrastructure in place to support it. "Overall, this is a sensible Budget that does not jump the gun on growth, with sensible spending limits and reprioritisations made where spending was not getting the best bang for buck. "Businesses have already been budgeting this way, doing more with less and spending smarter, not more. "While this was clearly signalled by the Minister in pre-Budget announcements, it was important that restraint in spending was followed through with, as a key role for the government right now is providing the conditions that keep interest rates and inflation falling and stable."
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Businesses Watching Closely As Budget 2025 Nears
Press Release – Business Canterbury With clear signals from the Government that this years budget has been signalled as a tight one, the focus for business will be on how the initiatives, continued or added, can support economic growth and create the right conditions for them to … With Budget 2025 being released tomorrow, businesses across Canterbury will be watching closely to see what's on the table. With clear signals from the Government that this year's budget has been signalled as a tight one, the focus for business will be on how the initiatives, continued or added, can support economic growth and create the right conditions for them to invest and grow. Business Canterbury will be releasing a response to Budget 2025 by 3:00pm tomorrow, and Leeann Watson will be available for comment following. On pre-Budget expectations, Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, 'The key area businesses will be looking at is continued investment in infrastructure, careful spending to continue the downward trend in inflation and interest rates, and initiatives that enable and help boost investment in R&D and growth. 'Two key areas are top of mind for our business community, and this starts with the Government having a long-term plan that focuses on infrastructure investment. New Zealand's infrastructure deficit continues to grow, and here in the South Island, strong connections to ports, airports, and across the supply chain are essential for the connectivity of our exports, imports and people. 'Investment in critical transport links, including the Interislander replacements and roading projects, needs to remain a priority, even in a fiscally constrained environment. When the economy turns a corner, we need the infrastructure in place to support it. 'Our latest Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey results showed increasing confidence, but this optimism hasn't yet translated into investment. The right policy settings could shift that. 'Targeted business support that enables innovation and investment, especially among SMEs, will be hugely important as we look ahead at a better economy, but with intentions around investment and creating jobs remaining subdued. Practical and efficient support for research and development, such as accelerated depreciation for R&D activities, for example, would give businesses the confidence to invest now in future growth. About Business Canterbury Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, is the largest business support agency in the South Island and advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Businesses Watching Closely As Budget 2025 Nears
With Budget 2025 being released tomorrow, businesses across Canterbury will be watching closely to see what's on the table. With clear signals from the Government that this year's budget has been signalled as a tight one, the focus for business will be on how the initiatives, continued or added, can support economic growth and create the right conditions for them to invest and grow. Business Canterbury will be releasing a response to Budget 2025 by 3:00pm tomorrow, and Leeann Watson will be available for comment following. On pre-Budget expectations, Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, "The key area businesses will be looking at is continued investment in infrastructure, careful spending to continue the downward trend in inflation and interest rates, and initiatives that enable and help boost investment in R&D and growth. "Two key areas are top of mind for our business community, and this starts with the Government having a long-term plan that focuses on infrastructure investment. New Zealand's infrastructure deficit continues to grow, and here in the South Island, strong connections to ports, airports, and across the supply chain are essential for the connectivity of our exports, imports and people. "Investment in critical transport links, including the Interislander replacements and roading projects, needs to remain a priority, even in a fiscally constrained environment. When the economy turns a corner, we need the infrastructure in place to support it. "Our latest Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey results showed increasing confidence, but this optimism hasn't yet translated into investment. The right policy settings could shift that. "Targeted business support that enables innovation and investment, especially among SMEs, will be hugely important as we look ahead at a better economy, but with intentions around investment and creating jobs remaining subdued. Practical and efficient support for research and development, such as accelerated depreciation for R&D activities, for example, would give businesses the confidence to invest now in future growth. About Business Canterbury Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce, is the largest business support agency in the South Island and advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.
