Keep up to date with progress on negotiations
Timeline for negotiations
- 2007–2009: NZ-GCC FTA negotiated and substantially concluded, but not fully finalised nor signed due to GCC moratorium on FTAs to review trade policy and other political developments in the Gulf region. Since that time New Zealand has sought to finalise the FTA at various points, and recently the GCC have advised that they were ready to re-engage.
- New Zealand and GCC agree to reengage in discussions on the NZ-GCC FTA following visit in March 2022 by New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth.
- Round 1: New Zealand and GCC negotiators held video conference meetings for the first round of (recommenced) negotiations on 22 March 2022. Negotiators were able to outline their negotiating positions based on the 2009 text, including areas where revisions are necessary. New Zealand sought adjustments in line with our Trade for All agenda, (particularly on labour and environment provisions which weren’t part of the original negotiations); and the GCC sought to discuss market access outcomes.
- Round 2: New Zealand and GCC negotiations held video conference meetings for the second round of negotiations from 22–24 November 2022. Sessions were held on goods market access, labour and environment, and concluded with a Chief Negotiators wrap-up discussion. Both parties agreed to exchange detailed trade data to assist the negotiation, and the GCC undertook to provide a response to New Zealand’s advisory paper on labour and environment.
- Round 3: New Zealand and GCC negotiators held video conference meetings for the third round of negotiations over two sessions on 27 March and 4 April. The GCC provided a response to New Zealand’s advisory paper on labour and environment which provided a useful basis for further engagement. New Zealand and the GCC continued to discuss requirements on goods market access.
- Round 4: New Zealand and GCC negotiators held a video conference meeting on 8 May. The discussion was a useful opportunity to further discuss requirements on goods market access.
- Round 5: The recent round of negotiations on the NZ-GCC FTA was held in Riyadh between 30 May-1 June. This was the first in-person round since the re-commencement of negotiations. Technical working groups were held on both goods market access and labour and environment issues. Both parties engaged constructively, though a number of issues remain open in both areas of the negotiation.