Three Export Liaison Posts

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 3

Three Export Liaison Posts

<Scui Zealand Press Association/

WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. Three senior officers of the Industries and Commerce Department had been appointed as export liaison officers, the Minister of Overseas trade (Mr Marshall) said today.

They were Messrs D. N. Hull and J. P. Costello, who would have their headquarters in Wellington, and Mr G. McLaren, who would be based In Auckland. Mr Marshall said the officers were the equivalent of trade commissioners stationed in New Zealand. Their task would be to meet businessmen at a senior level, both in groups and individually.

to establish an increased awareness of export opportunities for their companies or organisations. “With the need for sustained increases in exports well recognised nationally, the liaison officers will help businessmen to assess or improve the contribution they can make to the export drive,” the Minister said. All three had very considerable experience in developing export markets, he said.

Mr Marshall said the officers would, for example, draw the attention of industry to the facilities and assistance available to help expand exports.

They also would help evaluate prospects for exports, select the most likely areas in which to begin, and advise on the best ways to study and reach those markets. Groups such as manufacturers’ associations and cham-

.bers of commerce in all parts of New Zealand would be visited by the officers, whom Mr Marshall said would also welcome approaches from individual companies.

i “Indeed, one of the first tasks of these officers will be jto identify the reasons for i success in exporting by some i firms, so that lessons learned [or information which is not confidential can be passed on ito others,” said the Minister. I Mr Hull has just returned !to New Zealand after four years as trade commissioner in the Caribbean. Mr Costello was until recently trade commissioner in Hong Kong, and Mr McLaren has specialised in promotion of trade to the Pacific Islands.