Egyptian trade talks

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 7

Egyptian trade talks

PA Wellington A trade delegation from Egypt — one of the countries that pulled out of the Olympic Gaines in protest at the All Black tour of South Africa — on Thursday discussed with the Government prospective purchases of dairy products. The delegation, from the Egyptian Ministry of Supply, met the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Taiboys) for more than half an hour late this afternoon. The leader of the group, Mr Hosni Tantawy, said after the meeting that the Egyptian Ministry of Supply was looking to import 15,000 tonnes of skim milk powder, 3000 tonnes of cheddar cheese and 3000 tonnes of butter. He added that Egypt was also interested in a joint venture with New Zealand, embracing the establishment of a milk sterilisation plant in Cairo. The group was accompan- 1

ied to the meeting by Dr I. Z. Sorour, Egypt’s .Ambassador to New Zealand. Mr Tantawy said that the dairy products were needed for industrial purposes and that Egypt’s requirements could double if there was to be an increase in dairy supply for domestic consumption. He said the delegation brought a message to Mr Talboys from the Egyptian Minister of Supply but declined to say what it was. He added, however, that the visit was a direct result of talks Mr Talboys had in Cairo earlier this year. Egypt at present obtains most of its dairy produce from Europe, including France, Belgium and West Germany. “New Zealand is an exporter and we are importers so we’ should try to cooperate in this area. T believe we will have very good relations between our two countries.” Mr Tantawy said. The Egyptian President

[(Anwar Sadat) had developed la programme under which schoolchildren were to be given a cup of milk a day as part of a nutritional scheme. "There are 5M children less than 10 years old so we will need continuing dairy supplies to maintain this.” The group is to hold talks today with the Dairy Board and later with the Meat Board and will have further discussions with New Zealand Government officials before returning to Cairo.