UAE and New Zealand Ministers discuss bilateral trade cooperation

DUBAI- Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, U.A.E. Minister of Economy, and Tim Groser, New Zealand’s Minister of Trade, have discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two sides.

This came during their meeting in Dubai which was also attended by Mohammed Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, Abdullah Al Saleh, Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade Sector at the Ministry of Economy, and senior ministerial officials, and the delegation accompanying the New Zealand minister.

Commending the economic ties between the U.A.E. and New Zealand, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri expressed satisfaction in the efforts made by the two countries to expand bilateral cooperation in trade, industry, and investment.

Highlighting the ministry’s keenness in strengthening cooperation with the U.A.E.’s global trading partners, he called upon government and public sector officials to benefit from the opportunities in mutual investment and joint ventures. He noted that both the U.A.E. and New Zealand offer open and flexible economies that attract increased levels of foreign investments.

The discussions reviewed the outcomes of the fourth Joint Economic Commission held in Wellington in October 2013, and explored ways to promote cooperation in vital sectors such as tourism, education, health, small and medium enterprises, renewable energy and civil aviation.

“Leaders from both nations underscored the need to resolve issues relating to the exchange of information such as the implementation of uniform import certificates, unification of beef and lamb import requirements, and improving procedures for importing food from New Zealand to the U.A.E.. The two nations also agreed on closer cooperation to ensure food security and enhanced agricultural production, according to the U.A.E. Ministry of Economy.

The meeting also discussed ways of encouraging businesses in the U.A.E. and New Zealand to expand mutual partnerships. Organising visits for business leaders from both sides and offering platforms for the exchange of information in the commercial, industrial and alternative energy space were identified as strategic tools towards achieving this objective.

Trade volumes between the two countries stood at US$563.5 million in 2012, while there are two companies registered in the MoE, four commercial agencies and 206 New Zealand based brands in its records-WAM