6 Nov 2014

Trade delegation ends Sri Lanka tour

2:44 pm on 6 November 2014

Milk and cricket have been on the agenda for the New Zealand trade delegation that has finished the Sri Lankan leg of its tour and is now off to India.

stephen fleming

Stephen Fleming. Photo: AFP

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said he had met with senior Sri Lankan government officials and discussed the Dairy Cooperation Arrangement between the two nations.

Mr Guy said New Zealand was committed to helping develop the Sri Lankan dairy industry which has just 280,000 cows compared with New Zealand's 5 million.

The minister said New Zealand could assist with improving genetics, animal husbandry and technology in the sector.

Another initiative being delivered under the agreement was a five-year, $2.2 million New Zealand Aid programme focused on veterinary education.

The Sri Lankan market had been a difficult one for New Zealand in the last few years, with the safety of dairy cooperative Fonterra's exports repeatedly being questioned by Sri Lanka.

The trade delegation, which includes former New Zealand cricket captain and current coach of India's Chennai Super Kings Stephen Fleming, also talked about the sport.

New Zealand is co-hosting the 2015 World Cup with Australia.

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