Cambodia and New Zealand signed an agreement yesterday that will see aviation authorities form both nations working more closely together.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Phnom Penh yesterday, officials said the deal will see authorities collaborating in a variety of aviation services, including training, maintenance and airport operations.

“The agreement permits the civil aviation authorities of the two countries to take all necessary measures to keep passengers safe and secured, create an environment of fair commercial activities and eliminate certain forms of restrictions,” Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said yesterday.

Murry McCully, the New Zealand minister of foreign affairs and trade, said that he hoped the agreement would help to one day pave the way for direct flights between New Zealand and Cambodia.

“I hope that the agreement that we signed today will see more people travelling in both regions,” he said.

“More New Zealanders will come to visit the tourist sites in Cambodia and hoping people here will travel to New Zealand for business and education opportunities, as well as for visiting.”

In 2014, Cambodia received more than 21,000 visitors from New Zealand, according to government figures.

Sok An said yesterday that the government hoped to sign air services agreements with 10 more nations in the near future.