Gerard Casey EBOP Chamber of Commerce CEO

On February 20 I attended the launch of the Maori Economic Development Strategy by the Bay of Connections.

They have identified that Maori are major stakeholders and contributors to the wider Bay of Plenty.

Creating a Maori Economic Development strategy is ultimately about increasing jobs and improving wealth and enhancing wellbeing for Maori.

Strategic Priorities are around Strategic Leadership, collective asset utilization, business networks, high value business growth, capital and investments and education and skill development.

This is an exciting strategy for the Bay of Plenty.

As once again the Bay of Plenty has lead and is the first region in New Zealand to have a strategy launched.

I have always advocated that the Eastern Bay needs to have put its hand up not ask for a hand-out.

The Regional Council has certainly supported this region with funding for a number of local projects and I congratulate them on this.

However, what is great to see is the way Whakatohea, the Opotiki District Council with aquaculture, Kawerau District Council with forestry, transport logistics and industrial symbiosis have really engaged and have a number of action plans that are really working and putting runs on the board.

When you add into the mix the Ngatiawa and Tuhoe contribution to the region, it looks like the Eastern Bay will become a real powerhouse of economic and business development.

The Chamber is looking forward to supporting this strategy and helping Maori Business build better businesses.

I am hoping that we will see a number of businesses vying for awards in the business awards and certainly for the Maori Entrepreneurship Award.

Congratulations to all involved well done and you make me proud to live in this region.