Lebanon could act as broker, says envoy

Press, 27 November 1982, Page 7

Lebanon could act as broker, says envoy

PA Auckland The Lebanese' Ambassador to New Zealand and Australia, Mr Raymond Heneirie, has said that Lebanon, rather than Bahrain, should distribute New Zealand products to markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mr Heneine, who is based in Australia, said in Auckland that the great resource - of Lebanon was its prowess in the fields of barter, com- \ merce and trade. Lebanon, he said, could act as a kind of international broker for New Zealand produce. New Zealand had launched a similar venture with the building of the coolstore in

Bahrain, but he felt the Bahrainis were less qualified to sell New Zealand produce on the world’s markets. “Lebanon has always been, since the days of the Phoenicians, a big importer and distributor to the Middle East and Africa,” he said; Mr Heneine also said that Lebanon would be interested in distributing New Zealand meat and dairy produce, as well as other goods. The Lebanese,, he said, could help to organise barter deals involving New Zealand meat or dairy produce for oil or similar agreements. “We have a history of bartering, “The • Bahrainis have not,” he . said.