Manufacturers behind with hi-tech—Minister

Press, 9 April 1988, Page 8

Manufacturers behind with hi-tech —Minister

PA I) Wellington ! !! ■ | New . Zealand’s manuifacturing sector is not generally wel I geared | to the development and marketing ! of technically advanced products, said, the Minister of science and Technology, Mr Tizard, yesterday. I iHe was Speaking: )in Wellington at the launching of the hew Prclduct Challenge, a programme which has been setiubjby the Market Development Board and the D.S.I.Rj to i ■ -1' i h

promote! the development of (advanced products. The private sector in Neiw Zealand spent little on| research and develoment, Mr Tizard said. j‘ln the current economic times, New Zealand should not rely on lowvalue (commodity exports,” he said. {‘Nor {can we compete with the newly industrialising economies of South East Asia in many labourintensive manufacturing exports.]’ | New {Zealand had to

II I' develop , products which were competitive on the basis of i quality, technical sophistication and the identification of a market niche. The traditional export sector would also have increasingly to) rely on research and technological development to boost productivity anti reduce costs in; order io remain competitive. | The New Product Challenge programme would emphasise the| role of technology in byilding ex-

port competitiveness and encouraging marketeers and technologists to work together in : business development;. { j I A D.S.I.R. scientist has been seconded‘to run the programme. | ; Mr Tizard ! said the D.S.I.R. could be involved in research and technical development in (association with { companies, especially asj many companies had insufficient resources to j do research themselves. { j |