Big step forward in NZ-India business ties
This was the first time the India NZ Business Council, based in New Zealand, with the support of our counterpart organization FICCI and our strategic partner ANZ, organised a large scale business meeting jointly with FICCI and ANZ India and it was fitting that this was on the occasion of the official opening of the NZ Consulate-General office in Mumbai.
It was well attended by a very good mix of Corporate at the level of CEO’s, senior management, businesspersons and government officials.
“We are confident of signing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with India at the earliest”, said Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister of Tourism while speaking at the business meeting.
Emphasising the huge potential for growth of India-New Zealand bilateral trade, he said India is the 8th largest export market for New Zealand with bilateral trade having crossed New Zealand $1.2 billion in 2009-’10.
Dr. Coleman assured that all efforts would be taken to make it easier for movement of goods and persons between India and New Zealand. He was very pleased with the work of INZBC and his presence in the event will speak for itself. Also present was New Zealand's first MP of Indian origin, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi of the ruling National Party.
Mr. Subhas De Gamia, CEO, ANZ India, expected the first branch of ANZ to be opened by May / June, 2011 in Mumbai. The focus of the branch would be on institutional banking, trade and finance, foreign exchange and cash management. He was very supportive of the initiative taken by INZBC.
Sir Richard Hadlee, Patron, India New Zealand Business Council, and New Zealand’s Cricket legend, expressed confidence in forging a unique partnership with India for furthering trade, cooperation, investment and friendly ties, through resolve, commitment, and continuous engagement.
He recalled the heyday of his cricketing career and his visits to India with pride; and emphasized the commonalities between the two countries like democratic traditions, passion for cricket and long standing and warm relationship between the peoples of the two democracies.
On behalf of the Indian industry, Dr Vaijayanti Pandit, Director, FICCI-Western Regional Council, suggested direct flight connectivity between New Zealand to India, to accelerate bilateral trade.
Ms. Jan Henderson, High Commissioner for New Zealand to India, Mr. Gavin Young, New Zealand’s 1st Consul General in Mumbai, Mr. Alan Kozianski, Regional Director (South East Asia) at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Mr. Shane Bond, renowned cricketer and fast bowler, were some of the dignitaries who graced the meeting.
Myself as the chair said that it was befitting that the meeting of the Council was taking place on the occasion of the official opening of the New Zealand Consulate-General Office in Mumbai.
Agro-tech, supply chain management, education, ICT, Aviation, film making and tourism were identified as areas which could be of mutual benefit to both the countries.
The past months have been momentous for the India-New Zealand Business Council, with Chapters of the Council having been launched in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch which are actively arranging events at the local level.
I was happy to inform the doubling of membership to the India New Zealand Business Council. He thanked Sir Richard Hadlee agreeing to take on the role of First Patron of the Council.
I acknowledged with thanks the continuous support received from ANZ, which had been heavily involved in creation of the India New Zealand Business Council way back in 1988, and in the first few years of its operation.
I also acknowledged the assistance given to India New Zealand Business Council by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the High Commissioners of India in New Zealand and New Zealand in India.
The negotiations on Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand have begun and meetings between the negotiators of the two countries have been taking place at regular intervals.
The council would continue to advocate for direct air links between the two countries, as a primary step in accelerating this process further.
Our focus will continue to remain towards establishing partnerships and joint ventures. INZBC and FCCI have great individual intellectual wealth, which every member brings with them, lobbying and providing networks for business in both countries.
The key element of India New Zealand Business Council’s work would be to work towards the Council being recognized by the Governments of New Zealand and India, and the business community at large as the leading business organization in New Zealand aimed at encouraging trade, business and service between the two countries.
Bilateral talks were also held by the representatives of INZBC and FICCI to move forward in more meaningful and result oriented way
--
Wenceslaus Anthony is the chairman of the India New Zealand Business Council and was in India last month as part of a trade delegation led by Minister of Immigration Jonathan Coleman, during which a Consulate Office was also inaugurated in Mumbai (as reported in the April 1 issue of Indian Weekender).
Photo caption:
Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar with Wenceslaus Anthony
This was the first time the India NZ Business Council, based in New Zealand, with the support of our counterpart organization FICCI and our strategic partner ANZ, organised a large scale business meeting jointly with FICCI and ANZ India and it was fitting that this was on the occasion of the...
This was the first time the India NZ Business Council, based in New Zealand, with the support of our counterpart organization FICCI and our strategic partner ANZ, organised a large scale business meeting jointly with FICCI and ANZ India and it was fitting that this was on the occasion of the official opening of the NZ Consulate-General office in Mumbai.
It was well attended by a very good mix of Corporate at the level of CEO’s, senior management, businesspersons and government officials.
“We are confident of signing a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with India at the earliest”, said Dr. Jonathan Coleman, New Zealand’s Minister of Immigration and Associate Minister of Tourism while speaking at the business meeting.
Emphasising the huge potential for growth of India-New Zealand bilateral trade, he said India is the 8th largest export market for New Zealand with bilateral trade having crossed New Zealand $1.2 billion in 2009-’10.
Dr. Coleman assured that all efforts would be taken to make it easier for movement of goods and persons between India and New Zealand. He was very pleased with the work of INZBC and his presence in the event will speak for itself. Also present was New Zealand's first MP of Indian origin, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi of the ruling National Party.
Mr. Subhas De Gamia, CEO, ANZ India, expected the first branch of ANZ to be opened by May / June, 2011 in Mumbai. The focus of the branch would be on institutional banking, trade and finance, foreign exchange and cash management. He was very supportive of the initiative taken by INZBC.
Sir Richard Hadlee, Patron, India New Zealand Business Council, and New Zealand’s Cricket legend, expressed confidence in forging a unique partnership with India for furthering trade, cooperation, investment and friendly ties, through resolve, commitment, and continuous engagement.
He recalled the heyday of his cricketing career and his visits to India with pride; and emphasized the commonalities between the two countries like democratic traditions, passion for cricket and long standing and warm relationship between the peoples of the two democracies.
On behalf of the Indian industry, Dr Vaijayanti Pandit, Director, FICCI-Western Regional Council, suggested direct flight connectivity between New Zealand to India, to accelerate bilateral trade.
Ms. Jan Henderson, High Commissioner for New Zealand to India, Mr. Gavin Young, New Zealand’s 1st Consul General in Mumbai, Mr. Alan Kozianski, Regional Director (South East Asia) at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Mr. Shane Bond, renowned cricketer and fast bowler, were some of the dignitaries who graced the meeting.
Myself as the chair said that it was befitting that the meeting of the Council was taking place on the occasion of the official opening of the New Zealand Consulate-General Office in Mumbai.
Agro-tech, supply chain management, education, ICT, Aviation, film making and tourism were identified as areas which could be of mutual benefit to both the countries.
The past months have been momentous for the India-New Zealand Business Council, with Chapters of the Council having been launched in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch which are actively arranging events at the local level.
I was happy to inform the doubling of membership to the India New Zealand Business Council. He thanked Sir Richard Hadlee agreeing to take on the role of First Patron of the Council.
I acknowledged with thanks the continuous support received from ANZ, which had been heavily involved in creation of the India New Zealand Business Council way back in 1988, and in the first few years of its operation.
I also acknowledged the assistance given to India New Zealand Business Council by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the High Commissioners of India in New Zealand and New Zealand in India.
The negotiations on Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand have begun and meetings between the negotiators of the two countries have been taking place at regular intervals.
The council would continue to advocate for direct air links between the two countries, as a primary step in accelerating this process further.
Our focus will continue to remain towards establishing partnerships and joint ventures. INZBC and FCCI have great individual intellectual wealth, which every member brings with them, lobbying and providing networks for business in both countries.
The key element of India New Zealand Business Council’s work would be to work towards the Council being recognized by the Governments of New Zealand and India, and the business community at large as the leading business organization in New Zealand aimed at encouraging trade, business and service between the two countries.
Bilateral talks were also held by the representatives of INZBC and FICCI to move forward in more meaningful and result oriented way
--
Wenceslaus Anthony is the chairman of the India New Zealand Business Council and was in India last month as part of a trade delegation led by Minister of Immigration Jonathan Coleman, during which a Consulate Office was also inaugurated in Mumbai (as reported in the April 1 issue of Indian Weekender).
Photo caption:
Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar with Wenceslaus Anthony
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