Friday 6 June 2014

New Zealand Ambassador Hamish MacMaster has reiterated the importance of Saudi Arabia for his country as a major economic partner. "Saudi Arabia has been our largest trading partner in the GCC. More than 85 New Zealand companies export their products to the Kingdom, accounting for $500 million worth of exports to Saudi Arabia," he said. The ambassador made his remarks as he led the recent launch of a new kiwifruit variety -- Zespri Sungold -- in Saudi Arabia at the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh. "We are honored to host the launch of a new product from Zespri, one of New Zealand's most well-known and well-loved companies. It's a special privilege to help launch its golden kiwifruit in Saudi Arabia," he said.

Invited guests and embassy staff who included Deputy Chief of Mission Greg Lewis attended the ceremony at the New Zealand's mission in Riyadh. The New Zealand ambassador underlined that Saudi Arabia remains of prime economic importance as far as his country was concerned. "Saudi Arabia has been our largest trading partner in the GCC. More than 85 New Zealand companies export their products to the Kingdom, accounting for $500 million worth of exports to Saudi Arabia," he said. He said Saudi Arabia is the first GCC country where "we are launching Zespri Sungold kiwifruit. We're expecting the arrival of several tons of the fruit in a few days' time."

The New Zealand envoy said he expects the fruit to help increase his country's bilateral trade with Saudi Arabia which amounts to $1.5 billion. "Our exports to the Kingdom totals $600 million and our imports touch $900 million. Our exports include food and dairy products while we import mainly energy from Saudi Arabia," he said. He said that the introduction of the new kiwifruit variety is a "new milestone in our bilateral relationship with the Kingdom which started in the 1980s." Dubai-based Steve Jones, New Zealand trade commissioner, also lauded the launch of Zespri Sungold kiwifruit as a milestone in the rapidly expanding trade relationship between the two countries.

He said that food is probably the category that most Saudi citizens would associate with New Zealand and "when you look at our exports to this country, this is no surprise." He added, however, that what is also interesting is the significant growth in sectors that many people might not immediately associate with New Zealand. "Wynyard Group's software is used by Saudi financial institutions to manage risk; Tait's radio communication systems are in use by critical infrastructure managers and Airways New Zealand's training programs and simulators are being used by the Civil Aviation Authority," Jones said. Ben Hughes, Zespri International Limited's regional manager for the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and India, added that Zespri is one of the world's largest marketer of kiwi fruit, with the Zespri brand recognized as the world leader.

"Based in New Zealand, Zespri are 100 percent owned by kiwifruit growers, employing almost 300 people. We represent 2,700 growers and manage kiwifruit innovation, production, distribution management and marketing of all varieties of Zespri kiwifruit," he said. He said Zespri is also the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit and present in more than 60 countries. "Our success around the world is built on solid foundations, working with great people and experienced distributors who understand local conditions and the markets in which they operate," he said. He said: "Saudi Arabia is the classic example of this where Zespri is partnering with the Mohammed Abdallah Sharbatly Co. Ltd. which has 10 branches across the Kingdom and throughout the GCC."

© Arab News 2014