WELLINGTON, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and Australian leaders announced Saturday a partnership between their national standards agencies, designed to further ease trade and strengthen economic ties.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in New Zealand's Queenstown for their annual leaders' meeting.
According to the New Zealand government statement, the agreement aims to harmonize product and service standards, streamlining trade across the Tasman, reducing costs for businesses, and supporting economic growth in both countries.
"We discussed the shared challenges facing the New Zealand and Australian economies and the opportunities we have to work together," Luxon said, noting the synergy between New Zealand's "Going for Growth" agenda and Australia's productivity priorities.
The Queenstown meeting marks the beginning of a series of high-level trans-Tasman economic meetings, including the Australia-New Zealand Leadership Forum in Canberra, Australia's capital, in September. This will be followed later this year by the Climate and Finance Ministers' meeting and the Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers' meeting. ■
