A new `Arrangement on Cooperation in the Field of New and Renewable Energy,' recently signed by New Zealand's Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee and Mexico's Secretary of Energy Georgina Kessels, will help the clean energy companies of New Zealand expand their sales in Mexico.

The non-binding memorandum of understanding, which was signed in Cancun, Mexico, was negotiated between Mexico's Ministry of Energy and New Zealand's Ministry of Economic Development, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Brownlee is attending the International Energy Forum - the world's biggest congregation of Energy Ministers - in Cancun, Mexico; and the countries in attendance at the gathering account for over 90 percent of the oil and gas supply and demand round the world.

Saying that the cooperation agreement will not only give a push to the development of renewable energy, but will also promote good bilateral relations, Brownlee said: "The types of initiatives that may be pursued include closer cooperation between New Zealand and Mexican research organizations and businesses and educational exchanges between energy and climate change researchers between our countries."

Brownlee further said that the focus of the deal will largely be on enhancing renewable energy knowledge and expertise in a manner that mutually benefits the two countries and encourages renewable energy development.