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CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand) - Jim Anderton, the New Zealand Minister of Trade and Economic Development, will lead a delegation comprising people from the business and tourism sector, to Sarawak early next year, to enhance closer relationship between the State and New Zealand.

When in Kuching, they will meet with the business people among others, to explore areas where both parties could develop for the common good, especially in the tourism sector.

Anderton said this at a dinner cum cultural show at Millennium Hotel last Friday, which was attended by almost all the top people in town including the Mayor Gary Moore, top academicians from the University of Canterbury, University of Lincoln and Christchurch Polytechnic, and Malaysians living here.

Anderton is not new to Malaysia as he had been there in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister under the former government.

He said he had always wanted to return, and what a better time to do so after Tourism Minister Dato Sri Abang Johari extended the invitation.

"In the meantime, I will continue to "sell" Sarawak in Parliament so that more parliamentarians will visit Malaysia and Sarawak especially, to enhance further that special relationship we have since the days of the Colombo Plan."

Earlier in the day, the Sarawak delegation had lunch at the University of Canterbury Christchurch (UCChch), followed by a guided tour.

The University's Development Manager Ms Shelagh Murray disclosed that the University would hold a hi-tea function for its Malaysian-based graduates at the Kuching Hilton on 22 October.

The event will be hosted by the University's Pro-Vice Chancellor (int) Prof. John Raine and Mrs Penelope Raine, and Communication & Development Director Mr Jeff Field.

It will also mark the university's on-going commitment to maintain contact with its alumni, following the successful hi-tea held for the alumni in May 2001.

Canterbury graduates who have not receive any invitation but would like to attend, should contact the organisers in Kuching or the university (e-mail :  alumni@regy.canterbury.ac.nz URL: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni ).

UCChch's connection with Malaysia is dated back to the 1960 when the first Malaysian students arrived here under the Colombo Plan scheme.

Since then, more than 3,000 Malaysia-born students have passed through its doors.

The Sarawak delegation meanwhile made a 3-hour journey to Kaikoura on Saturday to watch sperm whales surfacing for air.