Bridges talks up trade opportunity.
Budget 2017 will earmark $53.3 million for building a special pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges announced details of the project during a visit to the United Arab Emirates city-state.
There were no immediate details on anticipated return on investment, or what special attractions might be created to draw visitors to the Kiwi stand (the giant inflatable rugby ball from Paris, 2007 may still be in storage somewhere).
But Mr Bridges did talk up the opportunity in general terms.
"A New Zealand Pavilion that will allow Kiwi businesses to highlight their innovative products and services and open doors to new export markets. Expo 2020 Dubai will provide a springboard to promote us as an innovative, solution-focused economy to the 25 million visitors expected to attend from across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia," the minister said.
“It will also allow us to build on our strong economic and transport links to the UAE which acts as a global air and sea logistics hub, providing access for New Zealand exporters to a much wider region. We’re already well connected with five direct daily Emirates flights, contributing $700 million to the economy."
New Zealand is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the Gulf Co-operation Council, which represents Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates.
The UAE is New Zealand's 12th largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade exceeding $1.9 billion in 2016.
