INZBC Annual Report: 2022-23

Annual Report 2022-23

An overview of all the activities for the year 2022.

Annual Report 2022

What’s Inside

About Us – pg3

Publications – pg6

Events – pg9

Digital Footprint – pg33

About INZBC

Since 1988, the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) has promoted and encouraged trade in goods and services, investmen t, scientific, technical and economic cooperation between India and New Zealand. INZBC is a member - based independent organisation, not - for - profit incorporated society, which exists for three purposes:

• To lobby and inform government on trade - related matters

• To disseminate information and know - how on doing business between the two countries

• To facilitate business development on behalf of members through leveraging networks

INZBC is run by industry leaders of New Zealand, who have years of experience in this sphere, thereby becoming the key stakeholders for International Trade Development of India & NZ.

INZBC has been recognised as the main industry body by both the governments of India & NZ. Almost all of the visiting delegat ion s of Govt. of India have been hosted by INZBC, and we have organised networking events for them.

With over 250 members spanning across various industries, like agriculture, horticulture, dairy, infrastructure, finance, educat ion, tax planning, etc.; the members form the main - stay of corporate leaders of New Zealand.

INZBC holds regular industry events, calling upon specialists and ministers, representatives of NZTE, MFAT, Indian High Commi ssion, etc. for meaningful dialogues within the business community.

INZBC strives to help the industry to engage, interact and grow together.

For further information please see following links: www.inzbc.org | www.inzbusinesssummit.com

The India New Zealand Business Council [INZBC] is the premier trade organisation in New Zealand, which has been working since 1988 to build trade relations between India & New Zealand.

Our Team

BOARD MEMBERS - 2022

Our Team

EXECUTIVE TEAM - 2022

Our Partners

We thank Our Partners for their support: 2022 - 23

Publications

INZBC takes out a bi - monthly magazine, KiaOra India that talks about all issues relating to India - New Zealand trade.

Events June 2022 - onwards

INZBC AGM 2022 June 2022

INZBC held it’s AGM on 28 June 2022.

Apart from the regular business, the new INZBC board was announced.

We also had our strategic partners BNZ Bank and Auckland University to address our members and lay out their India plans.

July 2022

Fire side chat, by the INZBC Christchurch chapter, showcases India's potential for young kiwi entrepreneurs

With Covid numbers going down and international borders reopening, this is the best time to start looking at the Indian market for expansion and scaling up Kiwi businesses.

This was the topic of an intimate “Fire Side Chat” with Mr. David Pine, New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh, and Ambassador designate to Nepal.

The India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), Christchurch chapter hosted the session at the Ara Institute of Canterbury’s City campus on July 12.

Braving bad weather, around 15 invitees gathered to hear Mr. Pine, who took charge in August 2020 when he flew to India on a Vande Bharat flight amid the pandemic.

INZBC hosted the event to help Kiwi entrepreneurs understand the potential of the expanding Indian market.

Mr. Pine shared his assessment of the ground realities in India in terms of politics, the economy and post-covid opportunities.

It was noted that Indian markets have been resilient, making an incredible recovery after going through the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, with almost all parameters of the economy crossing their pre-COVID levels.

It was recognised that there is a need for more engagement on the ground with frequent visits from either side and getting INZBC strategic partners like the Indian business associations- FICCI and CII involved to enable dialogue and learning about the market opportunities. The increased visits and exchange of information will also

provide a chance to experience the market and its potential first-hand.

Some of the specific areas where India could benefit from Kiwi innovation and technology know-how are dairy, agriculture and related industries

The consensus was that there is a need to build and develop relations on the foundations of common interests that include cricket, culture, and shared history like Indian soldiers serving with ANZACs.

Mr. Pine also mentioned how the recent visits of Minister Priyanka Radhakrishnan and MP Gaurav Sharma to India have raised the profile of the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.

INZBC Christchurch Head Sandeep Sharma reiterated the importance of continued dialogue and getting more young businesses on the table to exchange notes, explore potential and create an environment conducive to more trade opportunities.

Despite having 1.3 billion people, India has one of the youngest populations, with an average age of 29. India is also home to a fifth of the world’s youth population.

These young individuals foster a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship, and diversity. India believes this young population is its most valuable asset. But this also offers a huge market for entrepreneurs and businesses across the world.

Panel discussion on IT sector and its contribution to New Zealand's economy

A panel discussion on IT sector and it’s importance in the economic growth of NZ was held at the BNZ HQ in Auckland, on 24 Aug 2022.

The speakers at the event were:

Graeme Muller - CEO, NZTech

Chandan Ohri - CEO, Duco Consultancy

Dr. Partho Roop - Assoc Dean International, Faculty of Engineering Administration, University of Auckland

Dr. James McDowall - List Member, ACT Party Spokesperson for Economic Development, Innovation & Immigration

September 2022

INZBC business delegation to India reignites B2B connections

The India New Zealand Business Council took a trade delegation to India from 19-21 September 2022. The trade delegation comprised of 20 members representing various industry sectors, right from Primary Sector, F&B, Meat, Aviation, Education, IT services, Finance, etc.

The delegation going from New Zealand to New Delhi had three days of meetings with various trade chambers, Indian government officials and attending the annual conference of FICCI (The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry).

The Chair of the India NZ Business Council, Earl Rattray emphasised that this visit is happening at the right time, after the Covid-induced lull in trade continuity.

New Zealand minister of Export Trade, Damian O’Connor also joined us in this delegation.

Click Here to Read Full Report: https://issuu.com/inzbc/docs/report_on_the_delegation_to_india_v2

Delegation to India Key Outcomes

§ India is very keen to engage with New Zealand on a strategic level and not only trade. They would like to incorporate culture, arts, sports, defense and other dimensions as well.

§ India is working on prioritising the sectors in which there can be collaborations and create a win-win situation, where manufacturing can be promoted in India.

§ Skill development & education is a high focus area. They are looking at more collaborations to open excellence centers in India.

§ Invest India has opened a single window clearance for kiwi investors, wanting to invest in India. This will be a major achievement for the delegation.

§ The government of India is keen to engage on a regular basis. They are keen to support 2 delegations every year, one outgoing and one incoming.

§ INZBC strengthened its network with the major Indian chambers, including FICCI, CII and PHD Chamber of Commerce.

§ Govt of India is keen on promoting sector based dialogues and win the low hanging fruits first.

§ Some of the sectors identified for growth are: Primary produce & fruits, Horticulture, Food processing, Red meat industry, Logging, IT services, Fintech, Higher Education, Skill development, Tourism; Agritech - R&D in this sector; Pharma - R&D in this sector, Drone technology, Rocket technology.

New Zealand High Commissioner, David Pine, hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting delegation and the Minister.

The evening saw a great turnout with key stakeholders from India corporate world and government officials. This was a great opportunity for the delegates to network.

The India New Zealand Business Council signed an MOU of cooperation with Indian business chamber –ANZIBA.

November 2022

INZBC Summit 2022: Proposing a new approach to India trade relations

Identifying opportunities in the services, education, Ag Tech and merchandise trade to build strong business partnerships –was the central theme that emerged in this year’s India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) summit held on 11 November 2022 at Stamford Plaza in Auckland.

The Summit included the presence of Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Ms. Neeta Bhushan besides a line-up of, business leaders, diplomats, sector experts and academics from New Zealand and India, to discuss the various issues of reimagining overall bilateral ties with a focus on increasing trade through building business partnerships between India and New Zealand.

In her keynote address, Hon Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Local Government and Associate Minister for Maori Development said, “India is a priority relationship for New Zealand, with opportunities in the energy sector, technology and trade.”

The Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, highlighted the importance of high-level ministerial visits in strengthening the relationships in light of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s visit to New Zealand. She reminded the audience that India is now 5th largest economy and its growth rate makes it the fastest-growing economy for the next few years to come.

Ms Bhushan encouraged kiwi companies to work closer with India across sectors, “we need to work towards mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations in various sectors. Apart from agriculture and forestry trade, we can look at deepening collaborations in Agritech, Fintech, Education and renewable energy sectors. She also highlighted that India has a large untapped youth population.

During her time in New Zealand, High Commissioner will focus on five key areas: “developing and strengthening connectivity (people to people but more importantly by air), Tourism, Telecom and digitisation, Research & development, education and finally, traditional medicine”. This would indeed strengthen the bilateral ties even further.

See full press release here:

https://www.inzbc.org/post/inzbcsummit-2022-proposing-a-newapproach-to-india-trade-relations

Media Coverage

SUMMIT 2022

India is the elephant of the global economy, but is New Zealand investing enough in the relationship?

Stuff:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/the-monitor/130390956/india-is-the-elephantof-the-global-economy-but-is-new-zealand-investing-enough-in-the-relationship Becoming part of India's growth story: Inzbc summit explores options

Indian Weekender:

Https://www.Indianweekender.Co.Nz/pages/articledetails/7/20956/newzealand/becoming-part-of-indias-growth-story-inzbc-summit-explores-options

India and New Zealand trade relations: The Road ahead

Indian Newslink:

https://indiannewslink.co.nz/india-and-new-zealand-trade-relations-the-road-ahead/

INZBC Summit 2022: Proposing A New Approach To India Trade Relations

Scoop news:

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2211/S00333/inzbc-summit-2022-proposing-a-newapproach-to-india-trade-relations.htm

November 2022

Workshop on boosting

India-NZ trade ties held in Wellington

Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan hailed the recent visit to New Zealand by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaisankar as a signal that the two countries were “poised for massive growth in the coming months and years.”

She was addressing participants at a well-attended workshop, themed India Unplugged: Export–Import Pathways, conducted by the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) at the Indian High Commission in Wellington on November 25.

The initiative was spearheaded by Second Secretary (Political and Commercial Representative) Manoj Kumar Sahu on behalf of the Indian High Commission, Wellington.

High Commissioner Bhushan noted there was “political direction” coming from New Delhi to strengthen ties between the two countries, with their respective defence ministers engaging to discuss maritime cooperation on the sidelines of a multilateral meeting in Cambodia recently, which followed on the heels of the Indian Naval Chief’s visit to NZ and the signing of a White Shipping Agreement.

High Commissioner Bhushan projected India as one of the fastest-growing large economies, with a growth trajectory of around 7.12 per cent for the next few years.

India offered stability when other parts of the world faced economic and political uncertainty, she noted.

Patrick Kouwenhoven, head of Infosys NZ, picked up the thread from the high commissioner’s speech and eyed India as a prime target for tech exports.

He said India was poised to become the world’s most populous country in two years’ time.

India was also “younger” than China, with an average age of 28.4 years (10 years younger than China).

The Infosys NZ head made the striking projection that tech exports from NZ would surpass dairy exports by 2027.

Hayden Douglas of the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) dwelt on the “supply chain pain” experienced by businesses during the pandemic in the areas of procurement, manufacture and sale of products, both offshore and in New Zealand.

Rachael Kerr of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) explained the agency’s role in helping NZ businesses move their goods and services around the world. The agency helped businesses “grow their capability and improve their global reach, invest in growth and connect to other businesses.”

See full article here:

https://www.indianweekender.co.nz/Pages/Articl eDetails/7/21031/new-zealand/workshop-onboosting-india-nz-trade-ties-held-in-wellington

Events 2023

February 2023

INZBC facilitates a 22 company buyer-sellermeet with the Indian pharma sector

On 10 February 2023, the Indian High Commission along with the India New Zealand Business Council held a buyer-seller-meet with a 22-company delegation of pharma companies from India.

Organised by the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India, the purpose of the event was to ensure the continuity of interactions of Indian exporters with stakeholders of the pharma industry in the Oceania region.

The delegation aimed to propagate the quality of the Indian Pharmaceuticals industry and to impress upon the Government Authorities & Importers about the development of the Indian Drugs, Pharma, Herbal / Ayurvedic & Indian system of Traditional medicines and promote exports of Pharmaceuticals by holding technical Seminar & BSMs.

March 2023

INZBC Christchurch event discusses India’s economic potential and trade

During her visit to Christchurch, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, participated in an event by the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) discussing the opportunities for Kiwi businesses in India.

Bhushan emphasized India’s rapid economic growth, resilience during the pandemic, manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure development, and fastgrowing digital economy. She stressed India’s future potential as a top global economy and the shifting of businesses to India during Covid times due to its ease of doing business.

Bhushan urged NZ businesses to explore the rapidly growing Indian market, particularly the demand for high-quality organic products.

April

Unlocking India and New Zealand’s trade potential

The India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) released a discussion document suggesting a new approach to strengthening India -New Zealand trade relations.

The document, “India & New Zealand, A Relationship Ready For Its Next Phase,” indicates a shared consensus amongst the business community that a stronger partnership with India is crucial for New Zealand’s economic future.

As India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy with the world’s largest national population, the report stresses the importance of enhancing trade ties and recognizing India’s growth potential. Despite efforts spanning 15 years, conventional trade agreements, including through the RCEP, have not been fruitful.

The INZBC advocates a fresh perspective, taking cues from Australia’s successful bilateral relationships, where formal trade agreements are an outcome, not a precursor. It also emphasizes the role of New Zealand’s Indian community, which forms 5% of the population, in fortifying these connections.

May 2023

Collaboration and cooperation key to India and NZ’s future international education success

At the inaugural India New Zealand Business Council Education Roundtable, international education practitioners, business leaders and government stakeholders came together to examine opportunities and challenges for future growth in international education services between India and New Zealand.

Held in partnership with the High Commission of India, Wellington and the University of Auckland, over 50 leaders gathered to identify key strategies that could help inform policymakers on both sides.

The keynote speakers discussed India’s New Education Policy and how it impacted the international education landscape for both countries.

They said the new policy, which aims to internationalise India’s education sector, provided a perfect opportunities for foreign providers to partner with Indian educational institutions.

Grant McPherson added that greater collaboration and cooperation, through mutually beneficial partnerships, will be the key to exploring new synergies for future growth in bilateral education services between the two countries.

Impact

Social Media & Digital Footprint

All are activities create a digital and social footprint, which is very critical to take the brand INZBC to a national and international level. See some key metrics related to that.

Facebook.

Our FB page following has increased by 205 new likes.

The page reach has come to an all time high of 42K people.

The page still get a majority of male audiences.

Audiences are coming mostly from New Zealand and India, which is a good thing.

Linkedin.

On Linkedin, we gained more followers and increased page views to 2,207.

Total followers were 2,664.

Our engagement levels are top of industry comparing to top level government agencies and trade councils.

Twitter.

From Sep-Nov end 2022, our Tweets earned 16.1K impressions over this 91 day period

Total followers were 1627.

Sustained engagement on a monthly basis

Website.

Stats for main website: https://www.inzbc.org/

Thank You.