Ethnic Xchange Symposium

The Opening Speech by Hon Nicola Willis will commence, highlighting
the Coalition Government’s vision and goals to grow New Zealand’s economy.

Making the boat go faster: What can the government and ethnic businesses do to create more prosperity for New Zealand? An interactive 45-minute sofa-style interview session.

Ministers will outline their key portfolio priorities for growing NZ’s economy, focusing on growing trade relationships, boosting exports, improving the regulatory environment for businesses and supporting businesses’ innovation and use of new technologies to increase their productivity.

Facilitator: Kirk Hope CE Financial Services Council
Speakers: Hon Melissa Lee (Economic Development, Ethnic Communities, Assoc ACC), Hon David Seymour (Regulation, Assoc Finance) and Hon Judith Collins (Science, Innovation and Technology)

Morning tea and networking.

International trailblazers - Showcase of diaspora entrepreneurs in action. This session will explore:
(1) How to grow NZ’s economy through offshore opportunities.
(2) How to attract overseas investment to NZ.
(3) The core support available for businesses to help them grow and thrive.

This session includes 30min audience Q&A.

Facilitator: Kirk Hope, CE Financial Services Council

Speakers: Simon Bridges, Auckland Business Chamber; Priti Ambani, Tata Consultancy Services; Kenneth Leong, Tiaki Capital; Carolyn Tremain, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Peter Chrisp New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

The objective of this session is to share three case studies of successful NZ ethnic businesses. Three entrepreneurs will share their inspiring stories about taking opportunities and overcoming barriers. Follow in their footsteps to success by putting sustained effort into breaking new ground!

Facilitator: Chair ASEAN Business Council Kathleen Morrison
Speakers: Ranjna Patel (Business Hall of Fame 2024); Will Zhang, founder of EmoEx AI entrepreneur; Jonathan Manuel, CEO, New Zealand Airline Academy

A networking lunch will be served at 1.00pm.

The objective of this session is to highlight what the New Zealand government and businesses can do to better support trading relationships with countries.

High commissioners will share insights on what New Zealand businesses need to know about these markets before they expand to include them and how the diaspora can be better leveraged to support Aotearoa’s trading aspirations.

Facilitator: Ziena Jalil, Business and public sector leader

Speakers: Her Excellency Ms Mazita Marzuki, High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand; His Excellency William Tan, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore; Mr Mukesh Ghiya, Charge d'Affaires a.i., High Commission of India.

This session will offer attendees the chance to have a quick break and navigate to the respective workshop locations.

Breakout session 1:

New business frontier: Powering with and investing in AI.

The panel will discuss the following:

- The opportunities and pitfalls that technology entrepreneurs must be aware of in scaling their business.

- Practical tips for businesses and investors keen to expand into the AI tech sector.

- Ways for AI tech companies and investors to link up and create value for customers.

- What are the constraints that businesses need to know in advance?

Panellists:

- Danushka Abeysuriya, Founder & CTO of RUSH

- Natalie de Boursac, Head of Financial Services, Google NZ

- David Wang, General Partner, Co-founder of Migrant Investor & Entrepreneur Association (MIEA)

Breakout session 2:

Advice on how NZ businesses can expand locally or globally.

Panellists:

- Franky Wang, Head of Asia Business Activation, BNZ

- Aseem Agarwal, Partner/Head of Mortgage, Global Financial Services

- Matt Prichard, Board Chair, KPMG

Panel will discuss the following:

- Access to capital – how could businesses look to expand and grow and what channels are present.

- Growth strategies – defining opportunities and scaling across unknown markets.

- Product and services development – leveraging partner companies and joint venture opportunities to drive scaling opportunities for product or service-based businesses.

- Governance & risk – the importance of good governance and common pitfalls to avoid.

Closing remarks by Mervin Singham, Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities. A summary of the day’s key takeaways, acknowledgements and addressing future opportunities, collaboration and events.

The participants head outside to the private sector-sponsored cocktail networking event.

Opening speech by Hon Minister Lee (Economic Development, Ethnic Communities Assoc ACC). Cocktails and networking.