Henry seeks new markets

COOK Island government leaders have been busy over recent weeks looking for new markets and alternative sources of development assistance. Prime Minister Geoffrey Henry has now announced his country together with several other unnamed Pacific states is examining a proposal to set up a trade office in Hawaii.

Henry has recently led a delegation to Canada, the United States, West Ger many, Italy and the Philippines. The trip, funded by the United Nations De velopment Programme, is intended to identify potential donor agencies and present to them 27 priority development projects, which included housing, educa tion, health services, flood protection, a national fisheries complex, an inter island vessel, solar electrification, har bour development and waste disposal.

While in Honolulu, Henry talked ab out the possible trade office to be located there. He said the cost would preclude the Cook Islands from setting up an office of its own but it was possible to maintainsuch an office if the expenses were shared with several other countries.

In the meantime, Agriculture Minister Vaine Tairea was due to lead a mission to French Polynesia in an attempt to open up a market there for Cook Is

lands’ produce exports. Talks would focus on quota for exports to Tahiti of citrus, coconut cream and pawpaw pure e; the amounts set would be at a level manageable by Cook Island growers, The Government is spending US$7OO,OOO to build a cool store at the island’s airport which will allow vegetable and fruit growers to store their produce until time of shipment. The country has faced a problem in recent years of

ruined produce, with vegetables having

to be dumped. □