[asia-apec 1306] After APEC 99

[APEC Monitoring Group]

    From Newsroom (www.newsroom.co.nz)        
            Retailer Bail-Out Unlikely After APEC
            
Staff Reporter  Brody Sinclair 17/09/99 11:19:00 
            
The Auckland City Council says it is unlikely to compensate central 
            city retailers for any losses incurred during APEC.
            Auckland's central city businesses association, Heart of the City, 
            estimates sales fell by 40 per cent or $4 million as the public 
            shied away from the area during last weekend’s free trade summit.
           
 Auckland City councillor, Jon Olsen, is calling for half of the $1.8 
            million grant given to the Council by the Government for APEC, to be 
            put towards a promotion or compensation for retailers.
            But, Auckland City mayor, Christine Fletcher, says all of that money 
            has already been spent sprucing up the central city and Cr Olsen 
            will have to put his request to the finance committee.
            
While the finance committee's chairperson, Kay McKelvie, says most 
            councillors are unlikely to support a bid for compensation for the 
            retailers.
           
Mr Olsen says he will ask the mayor where the money has gone and 
            will continue to push for help for the shop owners who suffered.
            © NewsRoom 1999

            
            Classifications 
            Wires: Top Stories  
            Business: Retail  
            Politics: Local Government  
            General: Staff Reporters