WELLINGTON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Wednesday that New Zealand and Japan signed a Customs Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), which will help exporters move their goods more quickly and efficiently between the two countries.

    The MRA was signed in Tokyo by New Zealand Comptroller of Customs Martyn Dunne and his Japanese counterpart Yukiyasu Aoyama.

    "This agreement establishes a much closer relationship between the two Customs authorities which will facilitate trade between our two countries," said Clark, who is on an official visit to Japan.

    Businesses in New Zealand who have joined New Zealand Customs' innovative Secure Exports Scheme (SES) will enjoy the advantages of having this scheme recognized in Japan. Their shipments will get into Japan more quickly and with less scrutiny at the border.

    About 106 New Zealand companies are part of the SES scheme

    Japanese exporters who have joined Japan's equivalent -- the Authored Economic Operator scheme (AEO) -- will enjoy similar benefits getting their goods into New Zealand, Clark said in a media statement.