N.Z. farm produce gains access to South Korea

Press, 7 September 1984, Page 3

N.Z. farm produce gains access to South Korea

PA Auckland The Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Moore, said yesterday that he had achieved a breakthrough in obtaining access for New Zealand primary products to South Korea. Speaking on his return to New Zealand, he said he could not reveal details “for political reasons in Korea.” “It will take some time to come through,” Mr Moore said. “I expect by the end of this year, but it is substantial.” Asked whether the deal involved meat, he replied: “I did not mention meat.” He

agreed, however, that primary produce was involved. Mr Moore, who was in Seoul for Ministerial talks arranged before the New Zealand election, described South Korea as “our next biggest opportunity in the East.” Mr Moore also said he might ask the Government to offer cheaper electricity to Japanese companies considering aluminium processing ventures in New Zealand. Commenting on talks he held in Japan with the companies owning the Bluff aluminium smelter, Mr

Moore said that they were looking for cheaper power and for tax incentives. “We are very interested in it,” he said. “Every tonne of aluminium that goes out unprocessed is a job lost to New Zealand.” Asked whether the Government would consider offering lower electricity prices to such ventures, Mr Moore said: “It is a question that, if you have a resource, what is the best possible use of that? Is it the best possible use of the resource, of capital, energy and labour?

“If something like that comes up, that is increasingly attactive,” said Mr Moore. He said he was not aware that the Treasury had advised the Government when it took office that power prices were being subsidised by $BOO million and should be increased. However, he said the Government would be selective in the ventures it approved in general. “They must be on our terms, in areas that add value for New Zealand in jobs and technology,” said Mr Moore.