S. AMERICAN TRADE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31307, 1 March 1967, Page 18

S. AMERICAN TRADE

Trade in Latin America, compared with other continents was not good, said the director general of the Pacific International Trade Fair of Lima, Peru, Mr G. A. Lettersten, in Christchurch yesterday. He said there were many import restrictions in South American countries, a few such as Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Mexico excepted.

Peru was probably the biggest importer in Latin America of consumer goods and Venezuela one of the biggest markets without restrictions, he said. Mr Lettersten was addressing a meeting of Christchurch manufacturers and businessmen on the subject of Latin American commerce.

The meeting was organised by Tasman Exports, Ltd., the

firm which is arranging the whole of the exhibit in the New Zealand pavilion at the international fair, to be held in Peru from October 27 to November 12.

The president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr C. W. Mace) said little had been done by New Zealand manufacturers to develop exports to Latin America.

New Zealand exported about £2,200,000 worth of goods a year there, of which only £12,000 comprised manufactured goods, he said. The managing-director of Tasman Exports, Ltd. (Mr J. M. Bottomley) said about 70 New Zealand companies had expressed great interest in the pavilion for the fair. Many had already agreed to participate.