New Zealands’s Prime Minister John Key has officially opened the new premises of the the country’s Consulate-General in Dubai.

The new office will house the consulate and offices of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Immigration New Zealand, and the Ministry of Primary Industries, said a statement.

“This new office reflects our continued commitment to develop a closer relationship with the Gulf region,” said Key.

“It is a signal of New Zealand’s increased investment our growing footprint in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and the wider region,” he said.

Finalising the GCC-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is the next step and working on completing that FTA is a priority of this trade mission, said Key.

“Discussing the FTA with leaders in this region has given me a lot of confidence that greater trade with New Zealand, recognising mutual benefits is welcome in the Gulf,” he added.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is New Zealand’s fifth largest export destination. The exports to the region are worth are worth $1.4 billion, the statement added. - TradeArabia News Service