NZ Government gifts $6m to offended Saudi businessman

[Banditbandit]

This is just bullshit ...

http://www.straterra.co.nz/mining4nz/why-mine-in-nz/mining-and-the-nz-economy/



New Zealand will receive no profit from the Saudi farm, which Mr Assaf claims is worth $80 million.
But, it provides New Zealand businesses with the opportunity to showcase their wares, according to Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.
Asked what return the country should expect from the farm, Mr Guy replied: "Ultimately it may help us land the free trade agreement."

Just bullshit ..

[TheDemonLord]

So, spend $6 million dollars and in return get a free trade deal with one of the richest countries and get NZ products showcased alongside the apex products that the world has to offer.

Sounds like a bloody good deal to me....

[Gadget1]

So, spend $6 million dollars and in return get a free trade deal with one of the richest countries and get NZ products showcased alongside the apex products that the world has to offer.

Sounds like a bloody good deal to me....


Yeah, apparently it had to be this way to get the free trade deal with the Gulf States rolling plus I read 30 NZ businesses have invested in Saudi already.

Given the Gubbermint is happy to spend $26 million on a new flag project, $6 million doesn't seem too much in the bigger scheme of things.

[TheDemonLord]

I think its a cultural thing - if the rolls were reversed and Saudi was coming to NZ to do stuff - I would suspect they would offer numerous lavish gifts (as this is the custom)

[oldrider]

Not to forget the investment in team New Zealand? :eek:

[Gadget1]

I think its a cultural thing - if the rolls were reversed and Saudi was coming to NZ to do stuff - I would suspect they would offer numerous lavish gifts (as this is the custom)


Heh, not so much cultural but more a compensation for a 6 year ban on live sheep exports to Saudi plus a "smoother" for the free trade deal.

[awa355]

Given a few thousand years of camel trading, the Arabs are experts at manipulating backhanders, bribes, palm greasing, etc aimed at wringing out deals in their favour. The NZ govt are mere novices.

[98tls]

Cant see the problem governments have given far more to offended Maori.

[MD]

Cant see the problem governments have given far more to offended Maori.

Spot on. It's money well spent. As Nathan Guy insisted on telly tonight "we invested the equipment in the Saudi farm"

[Oakie]

This is just bullshit ...

http://www.straterra.co.nz/mining4nz/why-mine-in-nz/mining-and-the-nz-economy/


Just bullshit .. Sheepshit more likely?

A) I think the link is the wrong one
B) The Saudi businessman was more than offended. I believe he lost $80 million when NZ backed out of a deal to export live sheep.