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New Zealand and El Salvador have a warm and positive relationship, based largely on trade and development. The New Zealand government announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with El Salvador in October 2001, with the Embassy in Mexico City accredited to El Salvador. The first New Zealand Honorary Consul in El Salvador, Mr Antonio Cabrales, was appointed in August 2003. Mr Cabrales is a former Minister of Agriculture and is president of the influential FUSADES think tank.
New Zealand's trading relationship with El Salvador has been dominated by exports of dairy products. In the year to December 2008, New Zealand exports to El Salvador were worth NZ$5.7 million of which NZ$4.7 million were in the dairy sector. New Zealand also exports live cattle to El Salvador on occasion, for example in the year to December 2007 this trade totalled NZ$2.7 million.
Following a review of New Zealand’s official development assistance to Latin America, the New Zealand Government approved a strategy to guide its Latin America development programme until 2009. The programme is managed by the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) based in Wellington.
The programme focuses on three sub regions, one of which is Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua). The thematic focus for Central America is on sustainable rural livelihoods. New Zealand made a contribution to the international relief effort in El Salvador following Tropical Storm Stan. As part of the programme, Salvadorians are eligible for short term training awards.
In addition to the development programme, assistance is given to El Salvador via two mechanisms, both managed from the Embassy in Mexico City. The first mechanism is the provision of up to two scholarships per year to Salvadorian postgraduate students to study in New Zealand. The second is a modest Head of Mission Fund, which is available to assist small non-government organisation and community group development projects in El Salvador.
Read more about the development relationship
New Zealand and El Salvador are both members of the UN, WTO and FEALAC (Forum for East Asia – Latin America Cooperation) and work together in these fora on issues of mutual interest.
In January 2002 Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Phil Goff visited El Salvador. The visit was historic as the first (and only) Ministerial-level bilateral visit between New Zealand and El Salvador. top of page
Official Name - Republic of El Salvador
Land Area - 20,720 sq. km
Population -7 Million
Capital City - San Salvador
Religion - Roman Catholic
Language - Spanish
Currency - US dollar
Political system – Democratic, universal adult suffrage
National government – Council of Ministers appointed by President
National legislature – Unicameral Legislative Assembly; 64 local and 20 nationally elected deputies (elected every three years)
Last elections – Presidential - March 2004; Legislative and municipal - March 2006
Next elections due – Legislative and municipal - January 2009; Presidential – March 2009
Head of State – President Elías Antonio Saca González
Head of Government – President Elías Antonio Saca González
Key Ministers –
Vice President: Salvador Sánchez Cerén
Foreign Relations: Hugo Martínez Bonilla
Agriculture: Manuel Sevilla
Economy: Héctor Dada Hirezi
Main political parties –
Government: Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN)
Opposition: Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA)
Partido de Conciliación Nacional (PCN)
Partido Demócrata Cristiano (PDC)
Cambio Democrático (CD)
GDP – US$ 22,261 million (estimate)
GDP Per Capita – US$ 3,184 (estimate)
GDP Per Capita (PPP) – US$4,961 (estimate)
Real GDP Growth – 2.6%
Exports FOB – US$ 4,611 million
Imports FOB– US$ 9,002 million
Main exports (2008) –
Non-traditional goods - US$2,286 million
Maquila (assembly of imported inputs for re-export) - US$1,928 million
Coffee - US$259 million
Sugar – US$76 million
Consumer Price Inflation – 7.3%
Gross external debt – US$ 10.5 billion (estimate)
Current account – deficit of US$ 1.6 billion
Source: Economic Intelligence Unit 2008 figures
New Zealand Exports (FOB) |
NZ$ 5,692,861 |
Main Exports |
Milk and Cream (58%), Butter, fats, oils (15%), Paper and paperboard (10%), Whey and products (6%) |
New Zealand Imports (CIF) |
NZ$ 880,800 |
Main Imports |
Beer (55%), Coffee (16%), T-shirts, tops etc (4%) |
Source: Statistics New Zealand (year to December 2008)
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The New Zealand Embassy in Mexico is also responsible for El Salvador.
The Salvadorian Embassy in Korea is also responsible for New Zealand.
The New Zealand government's safetravel website has comprehensive travel information including advice on the safety and security of travel to El Salvador.
Further enquiries may be directed to:
Consular Division
Tel: +64 4 439 8000
Fax: +64 4 439 8532
