UAE - New Zealand Joint Economic Committee meeting in September will boost cooperation: Al Mansouri

DUBAI, 1st September 2015 (WAM) -- Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Tim Groser, Minister of Trade in the New Zealand government, will co-chair the fifth meeting of the UAE-New Zealand Joint Economic Committee, JEC, which will be held in Abu Dhabi in September. The JEC meeting, on September 6th and 7th, will focus on deepening and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the UAE and New Zealand across a range of important economic sectors. "Discussions will emphasise cooperation in tourism, education, healthcare, industry, SMEs, renewable energy, aviation, agriculture, technology, and innovation," according to the Ministry of Economy. The meeting will bring together representatives from federal and local government organisations, businesses and private sectors from the two countries. Sultan Al Mansouri stressed the UAE’s keenness to strengthen its ties with New Zealand at all levels, pointing out that bilateral relations between the two countries are on an upward trajectory. "The visit of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, to the UAE in April this year, and the high level meetings he had with UAE leaders and officials, marked an important milestone in the ongoing cooperation between the two countries," said Al Mansouri. Al Mansouri noted that the JEC will work on sustaining the momentum in improving economic and trade relations and highlighting investment opportunities for both partners. The meeting will also focus on strengthening relations between business communities in the two countries. The JEC meeting will evaluate the progress made since the last edition held in Wellington, New Zealand, in October 2013, and also explore ways of further developing economic and trade ties. The meeting will provide a valuable opportunity for private businesses, entrepreneurs and investors to meet, share ideas and discuss economic cooperation and investment opportunities in the UAE and in New Zealand. Trade volumes between the two countries have been increasing steadily for the last few years, reaching Dh2.33 billion in 2013. A number of agreements already exist between the UAE and New Zealand, including an economic and trade cooperation agreement, and double taxation avoidance agreement. In February 2015, negotiations commenced on an agreement to encourage and protect investment between the two countries. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395284847798.html