Business & Money | Sunday 19 April, 2015 3:19 pm |

New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key will lead a business delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 28 April.

“The visit is an opportunity to strengthen and grow trade and business links between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and New Zealand. A key priority for me will be talking to key figures in the region about the importance of progressing New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreement with the GCC,” says Mr Key.

The GCC is New Zealand’s fifth largest export destination with goods exports worth US$1.4 billion in the year to December 2014. Exports of goods have grown by an average ten percent per year over the last decade.

“New Zealand has a lot to offer the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a number of our businesses already have a presence in this market. My visit is aimed at opening doors and helping to further promote New Zealand companies,” says Mr Key.

“It has always been my intention to travel to the Gulf as it is an important region and I’m pleased to be leading a strong business delegation on this visit,” added Mr Key.

A range of meetings are scheduled with senior government leaders across the region.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser.