Monday, 13 January 2025 15:08

PM heads to the UAE

Written by Staff Reporters

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is off to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for high-level talks with Emirati leaders.

He will also witness the signing of the New Zealand-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Negotiations concluded on the free trade agreement in September last year and the deal has been largely welcomed by the agriculture sector.

Currently, two-way trade between New Zealand and the UAE is valued at NZ$1.3 billion. From day one of the agreement, duties will be eliminated on 98.5% of New Zealand’s exports to the UAE.

Luxon says the UAE is a trusted partner for New Zealand.

“I look forward to celebrating the growth in our bilateral relationship, including the signature of our first-class trade deal,” he says.

Luxon says the agreement provides a springboard for New Zealand companies to engage with the UAE’s market, offering opportunities to increase trade and investment flows.

“This is all part of the work we are doing to achieve our goal of doubling the value of our exports in ten years,” he says.

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