International connections at NZ National Fieldays make exports possible

International business connections made at last year’s NZ National Fieldays have resulted in New Zealand companies launching a range of rural products into markets such as Germany, the US, and Central America within the past 12 months.

This year, more than 250 overseas business people are confirmed to visit NZ National Fieldays.

Fieldays International Agribusiness Manager, Terry Blackler, says the Fieldays team is committed to helping New Zealand companies make profitable connections with these visitors.

“Every year, international business people travel to Fieldays with a range of agendas. Some are looking to take the latest New Zealand technologies back to their countries. Some are looking for partnership opportunities, while others are wanting to work with distributors to get their products into the New Zealand marketplace.

“This year, we’ll host delegations from China, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Ireland, Chile and Germany. The Fieldays team will be taking an active role in connecting New Zealand companies with these international visitors to find commercial opportunities,” explains Mr Blackler.

Mr Blackler says he is aware of companies who made connections with international visitors at last year’s Fieldays, who are now exporting overseas.

“One business I’m aware of has signed a distributorship agreement with a German company to launch their product into Europe for the first time. A New Zealand company that makes water trough valves met a distributor from the US last year and is now exporting to America. And a small fencing company met a distributor at Fieldays last year that has helped them launch into both Central and North America,” outlines Mr Blackler.

Terry Blackler joined Fieldays International team as International Agribusiness Manager in November 2010. His appointment follows the strategic decision by the NZ National Fieldays Society to put greater emphasis on gaining value for New Zealand businesses from the international visitors attending Fieldays.

Fieldays exhibitors and interested New Zealand companies wanting to explore international business connections can stop by the Business Centre at NZ National Fieldays.

The 2011 New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held this Wednesday to Saturday at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. Developed by not for profit, the National Fieldays Society; the Fieldays event is proudly supported by strategic partners; ANZ and the University of Waikato.