After 18 years, NZ seals trade agreement with Gulf Co-operation Council countries

Todd McClay says the agreement with the GCC countries is the highest quality deal the grouping has done. (Image: NZME)

Fri, 01 Nov 2024

New Zealand has secured a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council countries nearly 15 years after first announcing a deal had been struck.As the clock hit midnight on Friday, Trade Minister Todd McClay announced a trade deal 18 years in the making had been concluded – for real this time. McClay said the deal would deliver duty-free access for 99% of New Zealand exports to Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries over 10 years. And on the first day the deal comes into force, 51% of exports to the region will be t...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets

Being AI’s bold plan: No business, still listed

From wannabe Google challenger to now selling off its last business to escape debt.

Rebecca Stevenson 9:42am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Tuesday, Nov 4

Get yourself a coffee and put your brain to the test.

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Policy

Leaky buildings tribunal to wind up

Time called on tribunal, the problems remain.

Ian Llewellyn 5:00am

Sponsored

Health insurance proving a valuable negotiating tool for Kiwi businesses

More employers see health insurance as key to staff wellbeing.

Moneyfit

Sponsored

Move-in ready offices: How business are rethinking workspace

Businesses want agility – and office space is evolving fast

Sponsored by Precinct Properties

More Politics

Primary Sector

Less than 10% of Provincial Growth Fund loans repaid

Of nearly $366m paid out in loans, just over $34m has been repaid.

Michael Neilson 5:00am

Primary Sector

US$411b on the table: will NZ claim a slice?

Infrastructure will be a major focus of the NZ EU Summit, but Ukraine might be too.

Dileepa Fonseka 24 Oct 2025

News in Brief

Willis considered downgrading RBNZ governor status

Newly released Government documents show Finance Minister Nicola Willis sought urgent advice from Treasury on improving oversight of the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ), following Adrian Orr’s messy resignation as governor in March.Treasury, which had been appalled by the bank’s reques...

Staff reporters 21 Oct 2025

Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: Labour's Future Fund: a shaky policy debut

Labour's NZ Future Fund is more sizzle than sausage.

Pattrick Smellie 21 Oct 2025

After 18 years, NZ seals trade agreement with Gulf Co-operation Council countries

More Politics

Your company has a subscription

Team