The UAE and New Zealand launched discussions to establish a customs mutual administrative agreement to enhance their cooperation on customs matters, Wam reports. Meanwhile, New Zealand is working to allow UAE citizens to use eGates in arriving and departing from the country starting this year to facilitate travel.

REMEMBER- The two countries inked an economic partnership for near-total dutyfree trade last week. The agreement will see UAE imports granted 100% duty-free access to the New Zealand market, while 98.5% of New Zealand’s exports to the UAE will be duty-free, rising to 99% within three years. They also signed a promotion and protection of investments agreement to strengthen investment ties across a number of industries. The agreement was finalized in September after launching discussions back in May.

More in the pipeline: The countries are also expected to benefit from the New Zealand-GCC trade agreement, which was finalized in October and is set to go into force soon. This extensive partnership will eliminate 99% of the tariffs placed on New Zealand’s exports to the GCC over ten years, removing charges on 50.8% of the Oceania country’s trade into the region from day one when combined with the UAE agreement, according to a statement.

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