The Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) opened here today the first round of talks with New Zealand for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In an address at the opening session, New Zealand Minister of Trade Phil Goff pointed out that the Arab Gulf states collectively are New Zealand's seventh-largest trading partner and that both sides believe a free trade deal will enhance further the bilateral trade. He added that New Zealand's exports to the GCC states last year were worth nearly $800 million, making the GCC region one of the country's fastest growing markets. Goff said that New Zealand exports to the Gulf region have grown an average of 10 percent a year over the past six years, faster than its export growth globally. Gulf States are a big market for New Zealand food and beverage, with technology and advanced industrial goods and services, including education and tourism, forming an important part of the relationship. The GCC is made up of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
