April 26, 2010Al-Attiyah, Groser discussed bilateral relations between GCC countries and New Zealand
CC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah met on Sunday the visiting New Zealand's Trade Minister Dr Timothy John Groser and the accompanying delegation.
CC Secretary General Abdulrahman Al-Attiyah met on Sunday the visiting New Zealand's Trade Minister Dr Timothy John Groser and the accompanying delegation.
Al-Attiyah told the press after the meeting that both sides discussed bilateral relations between New Zealand and the GCC countries and ways to bloster cooperation in all fields, including commercial, trade, and investment.
Both parties discussed issues pertinent to the signing of Free Trade agreement.
Kuwait News Agency
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New Zealand seeks to boost trade
The largest ever business delegation to visit the Middle East from New Zealand, led by Trade Minister Tim Groser, is set to arrive in Manama today with the aim of reinforcing and expanding trade relationships between the two countries.The delegation consists of more than 90 New Zealand business leaders representing 60 leading companies.
It is looking to capitalise on the solid growth and economic modernisation taking place throughout the region.
According to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the government's economic development agency, the GCC as a whole is an increasingly important contributor to New Zealand's economic prosperity.
Trade between New Zealand and the GCC was more than $ 2.1 billion last year - a 40 per cent increase since 2000 - making the GCC New Zealand's sixth largest bilateral trading partner.
As one of the most mature and well-established business hubs in the Gulf region, Bahrain has been a market of significance to New Zealand for many years.
Bilateral trade with Bahrain totalled more than $ 57 million last year, a phenomenal 170pc increase since 2007.
New Zealand exported goods worth $ 47m to Bahrain last year and exports from Bahrain to New Zealand were valued at $ 10m, representing increases of 250pc and 33pc, respectively compared to 2007 figures.
In addition, the two nations have developed significant trade in services over recent years.
"Bahrain has long been recognised as an important business hub for New Zealand, with a well developed regulatory environment that is supportive of business growth," said Mr Groser.
"Our visit demonstrates the depth of our commitment to the region and the growing relationship between our nations presents valuable commercial opportunities for both.
"This is a unique chance for New Zealand business leaders to demonstrate to local partners here the breadth of expertise that we can offer and to expand the existing economic relationships within Bahrain, leading to a stronger and more diversified presence in both markets."
A significant New Zealand-Bahrain collaboration has been the success of the Polytechnic of Bahrain, which opened its doors on September 14, 2008 under the management and guidance of Polytechnics International New Zealand Limited.
Government-led initiatives such as this GCC business mission aim to broaden the trade relationship with Bahrain by developing specific opportunities in the education and services, telecommunications, food and beverage, and marine sectors.
