Takinn it for granted

AUSTRALIAN companies seem to

be taking their dominant position

kin Kiribati for granted judging

from attendance at the third Tarawa In ternational Trade Fair. Only two Austra lian companies turned up to show their

latest products, compared with eight

from New Zealand and two from Fiji.

It is understood the Australian High Commission in Kiribati was disappointed with the country’s poor showing, which

was hi g hli g hted b y their trans-Tasman neighbours throwing a New Zealand

Night during the fair.

The companies were there to show their products, mainly in the areas of building materials or foodstuffs. Austra lia has traditionally been the main sup plier to Kiribati, largely due to the ship ping service which had linked the two countries for years, But this year, Pacific Forum Line link ed New Zealand, via Fiji, with Kiribati hence the new interest exporters in that country are now showing the market. □