NZ exporters to benefit from trade deal

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WELLINGTON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua): New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said today New Zealand dairy exporters will be among the big winners in a free trade deal signed between New Zealand, Australia and 10 Southeast Asian nations.

The agreement, signed in Thailand Friday night, will eliminate tariffs on 99 per cent of New Zealand exports to Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam by 2020.

It will give similar rights to imports from countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, although many such imports are already duty-free.

Groser said dairy co-operative Fonterra has already indicated to him how significant the free trade deal is, Radio New Zealand reported.