Export skills ‘lacking’

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 3

Export skills ‘lacking’

PA Hamilton New Zealand is missing critical export opportunities because of poor marketing skills, says the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Shearer. New Zealand’s continuing failure to keep pace with the needs of the international market, and to exploit new developments in science and technology, would limit the expansion of both its agricultural and manufacturing industries, Dr Shearer told the Waikato branch of the Asparagus Growers’ Association. Trained people, the resources, and the know-how were available, but until there was a more aggressive attitude to marketing, New Zealand would continue to miss critical export opportunities. Dr Shearer, cited foreign successes in areas where New Zealand lagged behind. “How is it that Taiwan can sell $5O million worth of beer to the United States while New Zealand cannot?” he asked. “This is in spite of the fact that for three years running Steinlager was voted the best beer in America.” How was it that Taiwan could sell $BO million worth of yachts to the United

States when New Zealand was supposed to be a world leader in sailing technology? he asked. A Swedish forestry expert recently described New Zealand forests as the envy of the world, but said at the same time that New Zealand sawmillers were 10 years behind Sweden in automation and other advanced technology. The Mitsubishi Corporation had produced a lettuce by cloning before New Zealand, which was supposed to be an international expert in plant breeding, Dr Shearer said. The lack of co-ordination within the horticultural industry as a whole was concerning, he said. “It does rio-one any good if New Zealand exporters are competing against each other in the marketplace and depressing prices.” Regulations should not be needed to get people in the horticultural industry to act responsibly, but the Government was considering a horticultural export authoriity bill, Dr Shearer said.