Chamber chief executive Dougal McGowan commended the Government on already announced policy, including spending on designated regional tourism infrastructure, the $97million for health research and the new technology commercialisation fund.
Those initiatives all had potential benefit for local businesses and institutions to grow the local economy, he said.
Added to those were the recent cycle trail announcements, particularly for Cromwell and the Central Otago region, about the connection of three tracks to expand tourism throughout the region.
However, there were other areas where the chamber would like to see further development and support, he said.
"The chamber believes it is imperative for central government to invest in Dunedin Hospital. This needs to be on the Government's future plan as it's taking too long to get off the whiteboard and on to the workplace.''
Other initiatives which would be welcomed included:
● Regional growth, incentive and sustainability which could include the decentralisation of resources away from some main centres into smaller cities and towns throughout New Zealand.
● A plan and support programme for the settlement and integration of migrants, migrant workers and refugees.
● Increased support for the learning-to-earning area to support the transition from education into the workforce.
● Expanding the Regional Business Partnership Network provided by NZTE and Callaghan Innovation which is delivered by the chamber, Enterprise Dunedin and the Otago-Southland Employers Association.
● The continuation of the social sector trials where targeted regional solutions to regional issues could be identified, financed and implemented.
● Some incentives to speed transition to supporting greener technology options in district heating plans.
That might start with government procurement.
● Encouragement of investment and implementation of a plan for local and foreign investment enticement.
● Succession planning funding for small business needed to be accelerated soon.
It was time the Government started thinking about and investing in how it could assist business exit planning.
