Auckland, Friday, May 27, 2016
More than four hundred delegates from around New Zealand and overseas gathered in Auckland for the Fifth Ethnic People in Commerce (EPIC) Conference held at Sky City Convention Centre today.
Ethnic Communities Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-liga said that New Zealand’s economy is largely dependent on international trade.
“Our increasing diversity brings significant benefits to our regional and economic growth with international connections, innovative thinking, entrepreneurship,” he said.
New Zealand is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, he added.
A quarter of all people who call New Zealand home were born overseas and the region is also home to more than 200 different ethnicities.
EPIC was organised by the Office of Ethnic Communities with private sector sponsorship to promote links between mainstream and ethnic business communities.
The Speakers
Among the speakers at the Conference were Prime Minister John Key, business leaders including Traci Houpapa, Sir George Fistonich and Wei Gao.
“Ethnic New Zealanders have a range of skills and experience that can contribute to the broader Government goals for economic growth and regional development. Events like EPIC provide a platform to build business and mentoring contacts so ethnic enterprises can contribute more to the economy,” Mr Lotu-liga said.
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