WELLINGTON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Several New Zealand government ministers co-launched the refresh of the Canterbury Regional Economic Development Strategy in Christchurch on Friday.
The strategy aims to position the Canterbury region so that economic growth can continue off the back of earthquake recovery and the rebuilding can drive economic activity and employment. The region was struck by three major earthquakes over the past seven years.
Since the 2010 earthquake, government investment in Canterbury has been significant, Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges said in a release.
By December 2016, the government had spent 14.3 billion NZ dollars (10.42 billion U.S. dollars) on Canterbury earthquake costs, and in the six months post the November 2016 earthquake centered in Kaikoura, the government has contributed to date around 850 million NZ dollars (619 million dollars) towards the recovery and rebuilding, according to the release.
"As rebuild activity levels off, the strategy sets challenging targets that will need sustained collaboration with the telecommunications, primary industries, education, tourism and business sectors," Bridges said, adding that Canterbury is well placed to drive the region into the next phase of economic growth.
The strategy's implementation is led by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum with the central government support. It includes strategic, high level proposals that advance work streams across the region as a whole.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said that the primary industries are a cornerstone of the region's economic development, adding that Canterbury has a highly productive and diverse primary sector -- strong in beef, dairy and lamb exports, with the arable, forestry and horticulture sectors also very important.
"The refreshed strategy highlights the importance of adding value to what we produce," said Guy, adding this is why the government has a goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025" and is supporting this through research and development, irrigation, water storage, trade access and developing skills.
