English takes budget message to investors overseas
Finance Minister Bill English is heading offshore on a budget roadtrip to sell the New Zealand economic story to investors.
Finance Minister Bill English is heading offshore on a budget roadtrip to sell the New Zealand economic story to investors.
He leaves on Monday for Singapore and Hong Kong, where he will speak to business, investment and political leaders about New Zealand’s progress in building faster growth and higher national savings.
“Budget 2011 sets out a faster path to healthy surplus in 2014/15 - a year sooner than expected last year, despite the large costs involved in our commitment to rebuild Christchurch,” Mr English said, announcing his trip. “Given the significant challenges we have faced in the past three years, this achievement should not be under estimated.
“The Budget also helps lift national savings by returning to surplus sooner, increasing private savings in KiwiSaver and providing quality investment opportunities for New Zealanders.
“Compared to the outlook of most developed countries, this is a strong economic story, which I am keen to share.
“I am confident the investment and business communities in Singapore and Hong Kong will understand the significant progress we are making in turning around New Zealand’s high levels of debt and lifting national savings.”
In Singapore, Mr English will speak to the Euromoney Australia and New Zealand Debt Capital Markets Forum, the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and a function of senior fund managers.
He will also meet Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Singapore Monetary Authority managing director Ravi Menon.
In Hong Kong on May 26, Mr English will meet Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief executive Norman Chan and speak at a New Zealand capital markets forum and a business function at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club.
He returns to New Zealand on 27 May.
NBR staff
Fri, 20 May 2011
Fri, 20 May 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
English takes budget message to investors overseas
14724