Zone Bourse | 6 mai 2024

Les Émirats arabes unis et la Nouvelle-Zélande vont entamer des négociations en vue d’un accord de libre-échange

par Reuters

La Nouvelle-Zélande et les Émirats arabes unis vont entamer des négociations en vue d’un accord de libre-échange, a déclaré mardi le ministre du commerce de ce pays du Pacifique.

Le ministre du commerce Todd McClay a rencontré son homologue des Émirats arabes unis à Dubaï pour annoncer le début des négociations sur un accord de partenariat économique global, selon une déclaration de son bureau mardi.

"Les Émirats arabes unis sont un partenaire bilatéral important pour la Nouvelle-Zélande, et le lancement des négociations aujourd’hui est une étape passionnante vers le développement de nos relations commerciales et économiques significatives", a-t-il déclaré.

Les Émirats arabes unis sont le premier partenaire commercial de la Nouvelle-Zélande au Moyen-Orient et les exportations ont atteint 1,02 milliard de dollars néo-zélandais (613 millions de dollars) au cours de l’année se terminant en septembre 2023, soit une hausse de 17 % par rapport à l’année précédente, selon les données du ministère néo-zélandais des affaires étrangères.

La Nouvelle-Zélande est également en pourparlers en vue d’un accord de libre-échange avec le Conseil de coopération du Golfe, un organisme régional composé de six membres, dont les Émirats arabes unis, le Koweït et l’Arabie saoudite.

M. McClay a déclaré avoir discuté de ces négociations lors de sa visite en Arabie saoudite la semaine dernière.

Un accord de libre-échange avec l’Union européenne est entré en vigueur le 1er mai, après que la Nouvelle-Zélande l’a ratifié en mars.

New Zealand and the UAE will begin negotiations over a free trade agreement, the Pacific nation’s trade minister said on Tuesday.

New Zealand’s Trade Minister Todd McClay met Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade in Dubai to announce the start of talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), according to a statement from his office on Tuesday.

A joint declaration of intent confirming the agreement was signed after the talks.

CEPA potential

The proposed CEPA reflects growing bilateral relations, with non-oil trade between the UAE and New Zealand reaching US$764.5m in 2023, an increase of more than 15 percent over the pre-Covid year of 2019.

The agreement will seek to boost those numbers through the removal or reduction of tariffs and trade barriers, the improvement of market access, and the establishment of investment pathways that will open up new opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, education, professional services and healthcare.

Dr Al Zeyoudi said, “New Zealand has become a valued trade partner for the UAE, one that shares our conviction that open, rules-based trade is an essential driver of sustainable economic growth.

“A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will open up a range of exciting opportunities for both nations, with the UAE offering direct access to new markets for New Zealand’s exports, particularly in food and agricultural products, while our services exporters and investors will be able to explore a range of high-value sectors. We are both eager to get started.”

UAE-New Zealand trade

The UAE is New Zealand’s largest trade partner in the Middle East and exports hit NZ$1.02bn ($613m) in the year to September 2023, up 17 per cent from the year before, according to New Zealand foreign ministry data.

McClay said, “Today’s launch of negotiations is an exciting step towards cementing a significant trade and economic relationship. This follows the conclusion of successful exploratory discussions, as well as public consultation, which demonstrated the importance of pursuing a high-quality agreement to boost our economy and unlock greater export opportunities.”

“The UAE is an important bilateral partner for New Zealand, and today’s launch of negotiations is an exciting step towards growing our significant trade and economic relationship,” he said.

New Zealand is also in talks for a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council. McClay said he discussed the talks on his visit to Saudi Arabia last week.

A free trade deal with the European Union came into effect on May 1 after New Zealand ratified the deal in March.