New Zealand, UAE reach trade pact 

New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay with other dignitaries during the signing ceremony. Supplied
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Updated 26 September 2024
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New Zealand, UAE reach trade pact 

SYDNEY: New Zealand on Thursday reached a trade deal with the UAE, which it said would unlock economic opportunities for exporters and boost supply chains with one of its most important trading partners in the Middle East. 

The trade deal will remove duties on 98.5 percent of New Zealand’s exports with that proportion expected to rise to 99 percent within three years, Trade Minister Todd McClay said in a statement. 

“This will create new opportunities for New Zealand businesses in the dynamic UAE market, contributing to our ambitious target of doubling exports by value in 10 years,” McClay said. 

Two-way trade between the countries was valued at 1.3 billion New Zealand dollars ($813.5 million) in the year to June 2024. 

The agreement was concluded in over four months following the beginning of talks in May, making this New Zealand’s fastest-ever trade agreement negotiation, McClay said. 

Australia and the UAE concluded a similar trade deal earlier this month. 


Stc Group issues US dollar-denominated sukuk with a total value of $2bn

Updated 09 January 2026
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Stc Group issues US dollar-denominated sukuk with a total value of $2bn

RIYADH: Stc Group has issued US dollar-denominated sukuk with a total value of $2 billion across two tranches.

The group clarified that the issuance included the offering of $750 million in sukuk with a 5-year maturity at a yield of US Treasury plus 75 basis points, and an issuance of $1.250 billion with a 10-year maturity at a yield of UST plus 90 basis points, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

It noted that the total order book exceeded $8 billion across both tranches, with a coverage rate exceeding 4 times, and participation from over 300 investors in the subscription.

The issuance garnered strong demand from a broad and diverse base of international investors, reflecting solid confidence in the robustness and efficiency of stc Group’s business model and strategy. 

This strategy is aimed at strengthening its digital leadership, seizing infrastructure opportunities, enabling massive projects, and contributing to the realization of Vision 2030 objectives, with a focus on achieving sustainable growth based on operational efficiency and maximizing shareholder value.

This issuance enhances stc Group’s access to international capital markets and solidifies investor confidence in the strength of its credit position. 

It also supports its strategic role in accelerating the pace of digital transformation in the Kingdom and building a thriving digital economy.