Govt boost to exporters

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 17

Govt boost to exporters

PA Wellington > The Government will give four divisions of the Export 'institute $37,500 if they set *up a national co-ordinating committee. *. The Auckland. Wellington, •Christchurch and Dunedin will meet in Wei'lington next month to discuss ;the proposals. The Government intends tc ‘.match the institute’s sub--’scriptions, dollar for dollar, up to $37,500. > The institute aims to bring i more dynamic and profes’’nonal approach to exportwag, It already has a national education committee sponsor*ing a three-year correspond»ence course for an export diploma, as weil as courses V technical institutes and atmiversities.

1 The divisions also provide forums for an exchange of t exporting experience and do t promotion work, such as t trade missions. ! Auckland is the largest division, with more than 400 , members. Earlier this year it i arranged its own trade mis- • sion to Persian Gulf states, s In November, it will bring 200-300 buyers from around > the Pacific to Auckland for - an exporters’ week. , In future the national coordinating committee would ; organise export promotion. Financial support for the - institute was recommended 1 by the Trade Promotion • Council, whose chairman is - the Minister of Overseas t Trade (Mr Taiboys). 5 The Wellington division i president (Mr B. Lumsden) said that the institute

was unlikely, to become Auckland-oriented. Each division would continue in its own right.

Auckland’s full-time director (Mr R. Southcombe) has been proposed as the national co-ordinator to handle the administrative work. Institute members are drawn from all sections of exporting, including manufacturers, producer boards, shippers, and bankers. It is modelled on the British Export Institute. The Auckland branch was set up in 1971, Wellington in 1972. Auckland is the largest division, Wellington has 200 members, Christchurch and Dunedin together, 100. The Government grant will be spent mainly on export promotion projects and education.