Speed Dating—Tangible outcomes, INZBC style
If one feels that there is not enough presence of Indian IT companies in New Zealand, the perception is to change soon. On 27 October, CEOs of 14 Indian IT companies of the Gtech Group, Kerala, met with many businesses in their quest to forge improved business relations between India and NZ. The programme for the day was action packed and started with Gtech meeting Councillor Arthur Anae, who represented the Mayor of Auckland and Brett O’Riley the CEO of ATEED. This was followed by a very valuable session held with Michael Barnett and Smitha Shanbagh of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A working lunch was held at the Bank of Baroda were a local TV channel interviewed the visiting group. In the afternoon, meetings were held with the AUT senior management and their business school and the day culminated in a business session at the NZTE offices where every member of the visiting delegation made a quick power point presentation showcasing their capabilities. Followed by these presentations, one on one business matchmaking and speed dating style meetings were held between the visitors and local kiwi companies. The highlight of the visit was Experion Limited from India signing an agreement with INZBC member Jay Changlani of Wellington. INZBC Treasurer Bhav Dhillon was elated at this news of Experion starting an office in NZ and hiring staff. He commented that INZBC does not believe in photo opportunities and instead such tangible outcomes are needed to take the India-NZ trade relationship to the next level.
The business session in the evening at NZTE offices was a joint effort by India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), New Zealand Technology Industry Association (NZTIA), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise(NZTE) and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED). According to Wenceslaus Anthony Head of Govt. Relations of the INZBC, “the whole purpose of this meet was to get the relevant IT companies from India and New Zealand to interact with each other so as to develop mutual business and forge collaboration between companies. This session was indeed an excellent example of NZ Inc working together with a steadfast focus on measurable results.”
The delegation from India was headed by Mr P. H. Kurian IAS, Principal Secretary of the Kerela Government, and comprised some well-established companies such as Neologix Software Solutions, Mozanta technologies and Acolade. An elated Mr P H Kurian, said, “Our delegation to Auckland has been very successful. We had many meetings since mornings with various government officials and businesses and all have been very fruitful. We will also do a follow-up visit next year and hope to finalise more collaborations by then.”
Graeme Muller, CEO of NZTIA said, “From a New Zealand’s perspective, India is a huge opportunity but there has been a lack of understanding and awareness. Today we have a large Indian population in New Zealand which makes so much more sense to build bridges between the two countries”. When asked about the opportunities that the IT sector from both the countries have in working together he said, “ relationship between the IT sector is very appropriate because most sectors in New Zealand can be tech-centric be it agro-tech or energy sector or health tech or education sector. All of this forms a good channel into the Indian market. So the tech relationship can provide the pathway for New Zealand to get to the larger market in India.”
The general mood of the members of the delegation was upbeat and spoke of sensible and business savvy ways of investing in the NZ market. Thomas Varghese, the Managing Director of the Mozanta technologies who is a part of the delegation said, “My strategy would be to begin doing something small and take it from there. We look forward to start working with at least one client immediately. Building trust with clients is very important and once that is achieved, bigger steps would follow”. Shaman M. Hanif, sales head of Neologix said, “We have felt that there are many opportunities for us New Zealand and Australia. In fact, we have zeroed in on Auckland and Sydney for setting up our base if we are to start our operations in this region in the future. To be honest, sitting in India and looking for clients in New Zealand will not work. We have to come and personally talk to clients and build good relationships if we intend to provide our services here in New Zealand.”
Overall this visit was a great success due to a lot of hard work put behind the scenes by Elizabeth Gollan of ATEED and Wenceslaus Anthony of the INZBC.
If one feels that there is not enough presence of Indian IT companies in New Zealand, the perception is to change soon. On 27 October, CEOs of 14 Indian IT companies of the Gtech Group, Kerala, met with many businesses in their quest to forge improved business relations between India and NZ. The...
If one feels that there is not enough presence of Indian IT companies in New Zealand, the perception is to change soon. On 27 October, CEOs of 14 Indian IT companies of the Gtech Group, Kerala, met with many businesses in their quest to forge improved business relations between India and NZ. The programme for the day was action packed and started with Gtech meeting Councillor Arthur Anae, who represented the Mayor of Auckland and Brett O’Riley the CEO of ATEED. This was followed by a very valuable session held with Michael Barnett and Smitha Shanbagh of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. A working lunch was held at the Bank of Baroda were a local TV channel interviewed the visiting group. In the afternoon, meetings were held with the AUT senior management and their business school and the day culminated in a business session at the NZTE offices where every member of the visiting delegation made a quick power point presentation showcasing their capabilities. Followed by these presentations, one on one business matchmaking and speed dating style meetings were held between the visitors and local kiwi companies. The highlight of the visit was Experion Limited from India signing an agreement with INZBC member Jay Changlani of Wellington. INZBC Treasurer Bhav Dhillon was elated at this news of Experion starting an office in NZ and hiring staff. He commented that INZBC does not believe in photo opportunities and instead such tangible outcomes are needed to take the India-NZ trade relationship to the next level.
The business session in the evening at NZTE offices was a joint effort by India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), New Zealand Technology Industry Association (NZTIA), New Zealand Trade and Enterprise(NZTE) and Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED). According to Wenceslaus Anthony Head of Govt. Relations of the INZBC, “the whole purpose of this meet was to get the relevant IT companies from India and New Zealand to interact with each other so as to develop mutual business and forge collaboration between companies. This session was indeed an excellent example of NZ Inc working together with a steadfast focus on measurable results.”
The delegation from India was headed by Mr P. H. Kurian IAS, Principal Secretary of the Kerela Government, and comprised some well-established companies such as Neologix Software Solutions, Mozanta technologies and Acolade. An elated Mr P H Kurian, said, “Our delegation to Auckland has been very successful. We had many meetings since mornings with various government officials and businesses and all have been very fruitful. We will also do a follow-up visit next year and hope to finalise more collaborations by then.”
Graeme Muller, CEO of NZTIA said, “From a New Zealand’s perspective, India is a huge opportunity but there has been a lack of understanding and awareness. Today we have a large Indian population in New Zealand which makes so much more sense to build bridges between the two countries”. When asked about the opportunities that the IT sector from both the countries have in working together he said, “ relationship between the IT sector is very appropriate because most sectors in New Zealand can be tech-centric be it agro-tech or energy sector or health tech or education sector. All of this forms a good channel into the Indian market. So the tech relationship can provide the pathway for New Zealand to get to the larger market in India.”
The general mood of the members of the delegation was upbeat and spoke of sensible and business savvy ways of investing in the NZ market. Thomas Varghese, the Managing Director of the Mozanta technologies who is a part of the delegation said, “My strategy would be to begin doing something small and take it from there. We look forward to start working with at least one client immediately. Building trust with clients is very important and once that is achieved, bigger steps would follow”. Shaman M. Hanif, sales head of Neologix said, “We have felt that there are many opportunities for us New Zealand and Australia. In fact, we have zeroed in on Auckland and Sydney for setting up our base if we are to start our operations in this region in the future. To be honest, sitting in India and looking for clients in New Zealand will not work. We have to come and personally talk to clients and build good relationships if we intend to provide our services here in New Zealand.”
Overall this visit was a great success due to a lot of hard work put behind the scenes by Elizabeth Gollan of ATEED and Wenceslaus Anthony of the INZBC.
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