WELLINGTON, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy is the latest in a train of senior New Zealand ministers heading to the Arabian Gulf as his government tries to kickstart a stalled trade agreement.
Guy said Friday he would head to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after visiting Iran for bilateral meetings with members of the UAE government in Dubai.
Guy said in a statement he would also attend Gulfood, the world's largest food tradeshow being held in Dubai.
He would be accompanied by representatives from New Zealand's dairy, meat and kiwifruit industries.
Last month Trade Minister Todd McClay visited Kuwait and the UAE in a bid to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which has been under negotiation since 2009.
The GCC comprising Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman is New Zealand's eighth largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade exceeding 3.5 billion NZ dollars (2.53 billion U.S. dollars).
In September last year, New Zealand and Saudi Arabian leaders appeared to have overcome stumbling blocks towards a long-anticipated FTA, after McClay held talks with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi and they agreed to work towards its early completion.
In 2015, then New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visited the GCC states, and said Saudi Arabia was going to be the stumbling block to the deal.
It was believed that Saudi government took umbrage over New Zealand's ban on exports of live sheep a trade in which Saudi businesses had invested heavily.
However, a controversial New Zealand government-funded agri-hub, including live New Zealand sheep, established in Saudi Arabia in 2013 had helped clear the way for a free trade deal, Key said.
Guy will also visit Iran in a bid to expand trade and agriculture relations.
"Iran has been an important trading partner for New Zealand in the past and there is great opportunity to increase our two-way trade. This is an exciting step for New Zealand companies who are working with importers in Iran," said Guy.
"This will be the third ministerial visit to Iran in 12 months and reflects the growing importance of this relationship. This is an opportunity to strengthen our agricultural relationship, following the signing of an Agricultural Cooperation Arrangement in 2016."
