Prime Minister John Key has met dignitaries and enjoyed a Burger Fuel meal in Kuwait, on the final stop of his Gulf States tour.
Mr Key's regional visit is an effort to complete a free trade deal with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Key said the chances of getting a deal signed were "higher than before I came", but said Saudi Arabia remained the potential stumbling block.
"It was always going to be the issue of trying to make some progress, and, bluntly, we got a great reception today from Kuwait, a fantastic reception from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Saudis, we are going to have to continue to work on that but I think we can get there," Radio New Zealand reported Mr Key as saying.
"Where this now goes is that the Gulf Council members sit down as a group, and they sit down and discuss whether they want to progress things, and you've got to believe me being here for four days has put us in a much better chance for them to have that discussion, and for them ultimately to complete the deal.
