A New Zealand Trade Delegation comprising more than 90 businessmen from 60 companies will pay a visit shortly to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of an Arab Gulf tour that also include Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. New Zealand Trade Minister Timothy John Groser said the Delegation's visit to Kingdom would provide an opportunity for his country's businessmen to bolster bilateral economic ties and cooperation. He added that the establishment of a new Saudi Consulate in Auckland was part of strengthening relations between the two countries, and reflected the increase in the number of Saudi students to 5500 in New Zealand. Saudi Arabia is the largest market for Kiwis' exports in the Middle East and the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $ 530 million in 2009, representing 25% of the total volume of trade between New Zealand and the Arab Gulf countries.
