[asia-apec 1115] NZ media: Doubts on Apec meeting

[Gatt Watchdog]

NZ Herald, Auckland, 26/4/99

Doubts on Apec meeting
By John Armstrong, Political Editor

Some Government officials questioned the value of New Zealand's
hosting this week's meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
(Apec) business ministers when the $700,000-plus event was being
organised last year.

Cabinet documents obtained under the Official Information Act also
show the Treasury worried that the meeting could promote business
assistance policies which will embarrass New Zealand's more
hands-off approach to helping local enterprises.

The three-day meeting began in Christchurch yesterday, attended by
at least 19 Apec country ministers, with responsibilities for
policies affecting small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Costs of hosting the meeting are estimated at between $700,000 and
$965,000.

It is one of a string of ministerial talk shops scheduled ahead of
September's summit of Apec leaders in Auckland.

The Minister for Enterprise and Commerce, Max Bradford, yesterday
described the meeting as an important opportunity for high-ranking
ministers to discuss issues surrounding the economies of Apec.

But ministers were warned last August that elements of the
meeting's agenda were at odds with Government policy, such as
initiatives promoting concessional and export finance to help
small business.

The papers, issued last week by anti-Apec campaigner Aziz Choudry,
said New Zealand would have to "carefully manage" the results of
the Christchurch meeting.

The Treasury noted that New Zealand was alreadyu hosting an Apec
business symposium in Auckland in June.