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5/13/24, 5:07 PM UAE, New Zealand to launch comprehensive economic partnership talks – The Gulf Time Newspaper
UAE, New Zealand to launch comprehensive

economic partnership talks

ABU DHABI/WAM

The United Arab Emirates and New Zealand have agreed to start negotiations for a Comprehensive

Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which will boost trade and investment ties between the two
nations.

A joint declaration of intent confirming the agreement was signed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE
Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade.
The proposed CEPA reflects growing bilateral relations, with non-oil trade between the UAE and New

Zealand reaching US$764.5 million in 2023, an increase of more than 15 percent over the pre-Covid year of
2019.

The agreement will seek to boost those numbers through the removal or reduction of tariffs and trade
barriers, the improvement of market access, and the establishment of investment pathways that will open up
new opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, education, professional

services and healthcare.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated, “New Zealand has become a valued trade partner for the UAE, one that shares our
conviction that open, rules-based trade is an essential driver of sustainable economic growth. A

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will open up a range of exciting opportunities for both
nations, with the UAE offering direct access to new markets for New Zealand’s exports, particularly in food

and agricultural products, while our services exporters and investors will be able to explore a range of high-
value sectors. We are both eager to get started.”

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