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