UAE Minister of Economy, New Zealand Minister of Trade Discuss Bilateral Trade Cooperation

Two sides discuss implementation of uniform import certificates and unification of beef and lamb import requirements

Dubai-UAE: 06 May 2014 - His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, welcomed Tim Groser, New Zealand’s Minister of Trade, and an accompanying high-level delegation to his offices in Dubai. During the meeting, both parties discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation between the UAE and New Zealand.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency Engineer Mohammed Ahmed Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade Sector at the Ministry of Economy, and senior ministerial officials. 

Commending the economic ties between the UAE and New Zealand, His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri expressed satisfaction over 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 UAE’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 UAE 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 at 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 UAE. The two nations also agreed on closer cooperation to ensure food security and enhanced agricultural production. 

The meeting also discussed ways of encouraging businesses in the UAE and New Zealand to expand mutual partnerships. Organizing 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 MOE, four commercial agencies and 206 New Zealand based brands in its records.