Page 163 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 1)

10/1/24, 2:39 PM Minister of State for Foreign Trade leads UAE Business delegation to New Zealand, Australia to expand trade relations - Eye of Dubai

Minister of State for Foreign Trade leads UAE Business delegation to New

Zealand, Australia to expand trade relations

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has concluded a successful visit to New Zealand and
Australia, where he led a high-level UAE business delegation to strengthen economic ties.

The visit culminated in the conclusion of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between
the UAE and New Zealand, which will open important new avenues for trade and investment between the two countries.

While in New Zealand, Dr. Al Zeyoudi held a number of meetings with senior officials, including Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for

Trade, and Hon. Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance. The discussions focused on the economic ambitions of each country and
how greater collaboration can help achieve them. Dr. Al Zeyoudi and Minister McClay also participated in a question-and-
answer session with the National Party in New Zealand’s parliament in Wellington, highlighting both nations’ commitment to
deepening political and economic ties and exploring new private-sector opportunities in both countries.

This was followed by a business roundtable organised to facilitate direct engagement between the UAE delegation and leading
New Zealand businesses, particularly in the agri-tech, renewable energy, technology and logistics sectors. The UAE remains

New Zealand’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, with non-oil trade reaching US$768 million in 2023, a 16 percent
increase over pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019. The first half of 2024 continued this positive trend, with trade volume reaching
US$460.3 million, 11.5 percent more than the same period last year. The expanding bilateral trade relationship is expected to
create new opportunities across a range of sectors.

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