Maurice Williamson

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Customs Minister Maurice Williamson will hold meetings with officials from United States Customs and Border Protection over the next two days, which he says will provide opportunities to continue to improve New Zealand's trade and travel security.

Mr Williamson is in the US mainly in his capacity as Land Information Minister to speak at an international geographic information systems conference.

He said today he would visit US customs facilities in San Diego and Long Beach, and at the US-Mexico border at San Ysidro.

"The United States is a significant export destination for New Zealand," he said.

"They're our third largest trading partner and most important individual country market for agricultural exports."

Mr Williamson said it was his first chance to meet US customs officials since the two countries signed a treaty-level agreement on science and technology in January.

"The agreement...provides a basis for broader cooperation on customs matters between our two countries."