12. Question No. 12—TradeCATHERINE WEDD (National—Tukituki) to the Minister for TradeQuestion No. 12—Trade12. CATHERINE WEDD (National—Tukituki) to the Minister for Trade: What actions has the Government taken to support trade with the Middle East?Hon TODD McCLAY (Minister for Trade): Since taking office a few months ago we've worked quickly with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to progress exploratory discussions on a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). In January I travelled to the UAE to meet with ministerial counterparts and again the following month to attend the 13th World Trade Organization ministerial conference. While there and following constructive meetings with the UAE trade Minister New Zealand announced the start of public consultations on a possible CEPA with the UAE. Exploratory discussions between our two teams are progressing well and a decision on launching negotiations will be taken later this year.Catherine Wedd: Why has the Government asked for the public's view on an agreement with the UAE?Hon TODD McCLAY: Well we're interested in what the public think—73 percent of New Zealand's trade will be covered by trade agreements once the EU-NZ free-trade agreement (FTA) enters into force on 1 May. However an important gap in our FTA coverage is the Gulf region. The launch of public consultations represents a significant next step in New Zealand's ongoing consideration of a deal with the UAE complemented with three rounds of exploratory discussions held to date. We're keen to hear from civil society and businesses currently exporting to the UAE market or with an interest in doing so—Māori exporters and all New Zealanders. Submissions are open until 31 March and information on how to submit is available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.Catherine Wedd: How would an agreement with the UAE be important to New Zealand?Hon TODD McCLAY: The UAE is a top-20 export market for New Zealand and our largest market in the Middle East with exports totalling over $1 billion last year. The UAE is also an important hub for New Zealand companies operating in the region and vital to New Zealand's connectivity to the Middle East and beyond. Other countries are progressing trade negotiations with the UAE—including Australia who are expected to conclude a deal by the end of this year—so the Government is committed to ensuring New Zealand exporters remain competitive in that market.Catherine Wedd: What else has he announced to support New Zealand trade?Hon TODD McCLAY: Well our work towards the CEPA with the UAE will serve to further grow trade opportunities in Europe as goods and services exported to Europe transit through this busy Middle East hub and will do so more easily. Yesterday the EU-NZ FTA gained Royal assent confirming that the deal will enter into force on 1 May. That's great news for our horticulture industry and as the member asking the question will know with the apple harvest in full swing the onion harvest almost complete and pack houses across the Hawke's Bay the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast and elsewhere packing for Europe these industries will be able to see the immediate savings of the EU trade deal. Given the year that they've had of the cyclone recovery this deal means a lot of our apple and onion exporters will do better.Hon Damien O'Connor: Will the consultation process on the proposed deal between the UAE and New Zealand be undertaken on the principles of Trade for All—which includes obligation to consult with Māori small and medium enterprises women and all groups across New Zealand—to ensure that whatever trade deal is arrived at will benefit all New Zealanders?Hon TODD McCLAY: In I think my second answer to the second supplementary I mentioned all of those groups. So yes.