Heads of agreement documents were signed by Jim Anderton and representatives of six cornerstone investor groups.
The cornerstone contributors are: (in alphabetical order) Dairy NZ, Fonterra, Meat and Wool NZ, Meat Industry Association, PGG Wrightsons, and Zespri.
Aquaculture NZ and the Foundation for Arable Research also made public commitments to contribute to the NZ Fast Forward initiative.
Jim Anderton said it was great to see the private sector respond so well to the New Zealand Fast Forward initiative.
"This is the single largest boost to innovation in New Zealand history. The Government has made its contribution, and I'm delighted to see the private sector moving to match it. It just shows that this initiative does have real value."
New Zealand Fast Forward Bold Step Forward
NEW ZEALAND - The first private sector contributors to the New Zealand Fast Forward initiative have showed their commitment to the joint industry-government venture, Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton said today.