Todd Talks By Todd Muller

Budget 2017 is delivering for Bay of Plenty exporters and the local economy that they contribute to by taking bold steps to improve access into rapidly emerging Middle Eastern Markets.

Traditionally when we think of large export markets that are ready to trade our mind immediately jumps to Asia. For the past decade our trade success has been largely defined by a very strong relationship with China, however, if we continue to be ambitious for our economy we always need to be looking for the next big thing.

I have just returned from the Middle East this week where I was hosted by the Qatari government in my capacity as chairperson of Parliament's Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade select committee. If there is one thing I have taken away from the trip it is the scope of potential growth for New Zealand trade is huge.

The Gulf Cooperation Council members of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have an approximate combined population of 55 million. They are oil-rich and ready to trade with the world.

Budget 2017 will commit $53.3 million over the next four years to design, construct, operate and promote a New Zealand Pavilion that will allow Kiwi businesses to highlight their innovative products and services and open doors to new export markets at the World Expo, being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2020. Yes, this is a substantial investment for the government to make, but to offer some context this equates to roughly 0.5 per cent of New Zealand's current exports to the Gulf States.

Outside of the Gulf States there is also huge potential for trade with other Middle Eastern countries such as Iran for industries like sheep, beef and, crucially for the Bay of Plenty, kiwifruit. Iran, like the Bay, has well-established kiwifruit orchards and supply chains. They operate in a counter seasonal supply window to New Zealand which presents an opportunity for us to supply this enormous fruit- consuming market of 80 million people during their off-season.

As Europe and the United States look inward, New Zealand must look outward for new opportunities to grow our economy and pushing forward with a NZ-GCC Free Trade Agreement is a great place to start.


Todd with the Ambassador of the State of Qatar, HE Mr Nasser bin Hamad Mubarak Al Khalifa at the 17th Doha Forum recently held in Qatar.