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SEVERAL yacht racers from here will be entered in the Miri-Labuan Yacht race scheduled to be held next year, a meeting at the office of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Westhaven Marina, Auckland was told.

They cannot however send their own craft in view of the high cost involved and would use local craft instead, chartered from local marinas.

Giving this assurance was the GM of Royal NZ Yacht Squadron Mr Craig Peploe when a trade cum tourism delegation led by Tourism Minister Dato Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg called on him here Monday.

Peploe told the delegation that their hands were full now in view of the America Cup (being the defending champion), NZ is staging next year, and therefore could not offer any other assistance even if asked for ode. Besides, starting 1st October, they are staging the five-month long Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, with the eventual winner having a chance to rub shoulders with the big boys in the America Cup proper.

Among those who came during the courtesy cum exploratory call was Senadin State Assemblyman Lee Kim Shin who is particularly interested in how NZ yacht clubs manage their almost year-round competitions, marketing strategies and associated works given the fact that he is heading a committee to run the Miri-Labuan yacht rate.

He is also a board member of the STB which is keen in promoting the tourism industry in the state's northern region.

Other members of the party were permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Abang Kassim, CEO of STB, Aloysius Dris, president of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sarawak Datuk Amin Satem, managing director of NZ Centre Rodger Chan and Alex Ting Chairman of Malaysia-New Zealand Business Council (Sarawak chapter). Earlier they called on the Mayor of Auckland John Banks at his office, in the words of Abg Johari "to strengthen exist- ing excellent relationship between the two countries, with Sarawak in particular, since the days of the Colombo Plan" and to seek possible business ventures that would benefit both sides, to which the mayor readily agreed to help.

In Gulf Harbour a 45-minute coach ride from the city the entourage, this time numbering about 20, were led on a guided tour of the marina, housing and golf course development.

It was here again that Lee (Kim Shin) was most interested given the fact that Miri is trying to complete its marina project and it could prove valuable opportunity to apply the perspective to Miri.

At the meeting with Air New Zealand Vice President Peter Elmsly (international sales), Abg Johari said the visit was once again to seek bilateral co-operation, and the possibility of a stop-over in Sarawak for NZ Airlines long flight from Europe to New Zealand.

Elmsly was non committal saying NZ Air was only a small player and badly affected by the regional economic crisis and therefore could not afford to operate new routes.

He however said they would look seriously into the suggestion after hearing the many natural wonders in Sarawak and the fact that tourist traffic to Sarawak (from NZ and Australia) is rising.

It was 12,000 in 2000 and rising to 13,000 in 2001. With the large number of Malaysian students, Sarawak in particular studying in NZ is an added boost to the overall picture.

The long day ended with a dinner cum cultural performance by dancers from Sarawak Cultural Village led by Jane Lian Labang at the ballroom of Carlton Hotel. It was attended by 140 people comprising mostly travel agents. A mini mart featuring places of interest in Sarawak was held at the sideline from 4pm.