Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh for the two countries to exchange political consultations.

The ministers also discussed bilateral relations, and regional and international developments. The meeting was attended by ministry officials, Saudi Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Saleh, and New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Hamish McMaster.

Saudi Arabia maintains a consulate in New Zealand, while New Zealand has an embassy in the Kingdom. New Zealand has strong economic relations with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom is reportedly the biggest importer of New Zealand products in the Middle East. New Zealand exports dairy products, meats and wood products to Saudi Arabia in exchange for oil products.

There are thousands of Saudi students in New Zealand, and there is cooperation between Saudi and New Zealand universities regarding geological studies.

In May 2010, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand signed an agreement to exchange expertise in science and technology.