Gavin Young, New Zealand's senior trade commissioner to the Middle East, told Sunday Star-Times that "New Zealand is recognized as having a different position on the war. We're seeing that spin-off fairly positively for New Zealand business wise."

Young is based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which comes under the government's war-related travel warning, but, as Young saw it, it's politically and economically stable and serves as a crucial trading hub for New Zealand's exporters.

According to the official, New Zealand's exports to the Middle East stood at just under 800 million NZ dollars (440 million US dollars) in 2002, while in 1999, the country sold just 520 million NZ dollars (286 million US dollars) worth of products to the region.

Last year, dairy products accounted for 57 percent of exports and meat products 15 percent. New Zealand also sold 44 million and20 million NZ dollars (24.2 million US dollars and 11 million US dollars) worth of textiles and electrical machinery to the region, respectively.

Chris Newton, chief manager of marketing for meat exporter Richmond, echoed Young's remark, saying New Zealand is always well regarded in the region and benefits from the perception that it is neutral.

Young said Prime Minister Helen Clark visited Dubai in October last year to open the consulate office there and highlight New Zealand 's position on Iraq and Israel/Palestine.

"A lot of people appreciated New Zealand's position on those issues was pretty close to the views of the local people," he said.

While the government travel warning remains in effect, there are one or two seasoned exporters are still traveling there, Young said.

"They're finding they're warmly received. Local people appreciate they are here and they appreciate New Zealand's position in the scheme of things. Our tourism and education sectors look well placed to benefit, with Arabs viewing us a Muslim-friendly country," he said.

"There are strong indications people in the Gulf region (including Saudi Arabia) are looking for alternative, safe and friendly places to send their children for education and in planning their summer holidays. The focus is increasingly eastwards -- with some verified interest in New Zealand," said Young.

"They are looking for places that are accommodating to Muslim students and New Zealand universities fit that bill," the trade official said.

Young said it is business as usual in Dubai. The locals are expressing concern for Iraqis, but not necessarily Saddam Hussein's regime.

Young is Trade Commissioner for South Africa and South Asia as well as for the Middle East.

(Xinhua News Agency April 6, 2003)