A receding threat of Sars in Southeast Asia means New Zealand exporters should jump on the next plane and re-establish business relationships in the region, says Trade New Zealand.
Singapore has been taken off the Sars-threat travel advisory list issued by the Government and health officials. And that,said Sally Ann Fraser, Trade New Zealand's market services manager for Southeast Asia, was the signal for exporters to return to their markets.
Advisory warnings had affected travel insurance cover for business travellers, with some insurers refusing to cover trips to these countries.
"In Asia, the relationship between the exporter and the buyer is absolutely crucial," said Fraser.
"Trust is built by ongoing meetings. The face-to-face thing is actually far more important than in the West."
This particularly applied if a problem developed, for instance with late delivery or difficulties with the product.
"Those sorts of issues are better resolved face-to-face than trying to do it any other way."
Food exports had been particularly hit, said Fraser, as people in Sars-affected countries stopped going to restaurants and hotels.
But she was sure that Asian clients and customers had understood the reasons New Zealand exporters had not been travelling to meet them.
Southeast Asian nations such as Thailand had been extremely nervous about Sars themselves, and so would understand the reluctance of New Zealanders to travel.
As Singapore was the major aviation hub for Southeast Asia, its recent release from the Sars travel advisory reopened the entire region to exporters, she said.
Trade New Zealand's regional director for Southeast Asia, Robin Davidson, said none of the countries involved had relaxed their vigilance about Sars, and exporters could still expect to be checked when they entered each country.
