Page 193 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 1)

10/1/24, 2:43 PM Minister of State for Foreign Trade leads UAE Business delegation to New Zealand, Australia to expand trade relations - www.lokm…

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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