Gulf War ‘will not hit trade’

Press, 25 November 1982, Page 28

Gulf War ‘will not hit trade’

PA Wellington The. Iran-Iraq war will not harm New Zealand’s trade prospects with Iraq, the Iraqi Ambassador. Mr Faris Al Ani, has said in Wellington.. As long'as New Zealand's prices are competitive, there is no reason why its exports to Iraq cannot grow, he said. Mr Al Ani, based in Canberra but also accredited to New Zealand, is on a short visit to this country. The drop in New Zealand lamb exports to Iraq this year — from 30.000 tonnes last year to nothing — was not for economic reasons, he said. “Our economy is very strong and stable, and although the war is entering its third year it has not affected our development projects, which aim to bring a better standard of living to our people.” Iraq has opened inter-

national tenders for lamb, and the only limitation on New Zealand was whether it could make the best offer, he said. New Zealand could look forward to further trade with Iraq if its prices were good. Mr Al Ani said that he had read in Australian newspapers that Iran had had difficulties in meeting its payments to New Zealand. “But Iraq is still very well respected in all its trade relations with the rest of the world,” he said. Iraq appreciated New Zealand’s attitude of supporting efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Iran-Iraq war. Iraq, normally an important buyer of New Zealand lamb, is also a big market for dairy products. Late last year it signed an agreement with the Dairy Board to buy $l4 million of dairy products this year.