There were curries, costumes, dancing and music as ANZ and nearly 500 of its customers celebrated Diwali – Festival of Lights - last Friday.
This is the fifth year in a row ANZ has held this lunchtime celebration – a reflection of the importance it places on the Indian community and the contribution it makes to business and local culture.
“Diwali has become part of the New Zealand social calendar,” says Sunil Kaushal, ANZ’s Head of India Relations.
“We’re enormously proud to sponsor events in our community which are important to our customers and staff – many of whom are of Indian descent.”
However, it wasn’t all tea and gulab jamun.
Talk of trade was never far away – which is not surprising given that in the next 20 years the Indian economy is tipped to grow five-fold, making it the world’s 5th biggest consumer market. The keynote speaker of the event was
The Honourable Craig Foss, Minister of Commerce. He commended the businesses in the audience for contributing to New Zealand’s economic growth by trading with India. A 160% rise in exports to India since 2008 has made its New Zealand’s 7th biggest export market.
Graham Turley, Managing Director of Commercial & Agri for ANZ, spoke of the ongoing commitment that ANZ has to supporting trade with India.
“ANZ has a growing presence on the ground in India, so we are excited to be on board to facilitate trade and investment opportunities between our two countries,” he said.
“It is crucial for New Zealand businesses to gain a better understanding of India, and how New Zealand is seen in India”.
His Excellency A K Pandey, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand, and Wenceslaus Anthony, Chair of the India New Zealand Business Council, also spoke at the event.