The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is defending a controversial sheep farm in Saudi Arabia, saying that the project has helped nudge New Zealand closer to a free trade deal with the Gulf states.
The ministry faced questions about the $11.5 million "agrihub" during its annual review at Parliament today.
Green Party co-leader James Shaw asked what the net estimated value of the project was to New Zealand.
MFAT's Acting Deputy Secretary for the Middle East Jeff Langley said he could not provide a precise estimate. But he emphasised that the primary purpose of the farm and abattoir was to "address a number of issues" in the region.
The Government has previously said that the agrihub was created in part to appease Saudi businessman Hamood Al Khalaf, who lost millions after New Zealand introduced a ban on live sheep exports.