On Monday, August 19, 2024 from 6.30 pm at Pullman Hotel, Auckland CBD
After three visits to India in less than eight months and five meetings with India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goel, Todd McClay would know the approach of the Federal Government in New Delhi on bilateral and international trade.
Mr McClay, our Trade, Agriculture, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing Minister acknowledges that India is an important partner for New Zealand and as Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, is also aware of the intricacies of diplomacy.
Step-up Relationship with India
“Our government is working to achieve a step-up in our relationship. Prime Minister (Christopher) Luxon has made it clear that India is a priority, and we are committed to driving greater trade opportunities for New Zealand to unlock our economy,” he told Indian Newslink ahead of the 13th Annual Indian Newslink Lecture.
The event will be held on August 19, 2024 from 6.30 pm at Pullman Hotel, Auckland City.
Mr McClay is the Guest Speaker at this year’s Lecture and he is likely to articulate the challenges and benefits of fostering trade, investment and commercial relations with India, the European Union and other countries with which he has initiated dialogues since becoming a Minister of the Crown on November 27, 2023.
The theme of the Indian Newslink Lecture this year is ‘The significance of Trade Agreements in a Global, Open-Market Economy.’ The Lecture is not India-specific, but the importance being accorded to a higher level of engagement with India by the National-led Coalition Government and India’s rising importance in the world may prompt him to share his experiences in recent months and his expectations.
“We are developing deeper and stronger engagement across all facets of the relationship, including in food and fibre exports which hit $213 million last year. The government has set the aspirational target of doubling exports by value in ten years and unlocking the Indian market of 1.4 billion people will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve this. Growing our trade relationships will boost New Zealand’s economy, lift incomes, reduce the cost of living and provide the public services all Kiwis deserve,” he told us.
Trade Opportunities
He said that he had, this week, discussed with Mr Goyal in New Delhi further opportunities to increase trade between the two countries.
“I also met with Ministers responsible for Agriculture and Primary industries to highlight the strong areas of cooperation and commercial opportunities possible between our food and fibre sectors,” he said.
Mr McClay’s visit to India also took him to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, where he met with local businesses to understand how to unlock opportunities across a range of sectors.
“New Zealand and India share a warm relationship and I am confident that both countries can build stronger food and fibre sectors, support commercial opportunities, deepen cultural links and foster conditions that spur growth on both sides,” he said.
High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan
Following Mr McClay’s address at the Lecture, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan will speak on ‘India’s rising status as the world’s preferred destination for trade and investment.’ Chief Executives and senior officials of companies can get to know the incentives and facilities offered by the Indian government to foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
The opening of the Office of Consular General of India (under the Indian High Commission in Wellington will help boost trade and community relations.
Duco Consulting Founder and Chief Executive Chandan Ohri will analyse the commentaries of Mr McClay and Ms Bhushan and offer his perspective on their respective themes.
Former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Opposition (and Labour Party Leader) Chris Hipkins will be the Master of Ceremonies. Former Ethnic Communities Minister and current Labour MP Jenny Salesa will deliver the Welcome Address, while Barrister Matt Robson will outline the purpose of the Lecture in his Curtain Raiser and Takanini MP (National) Rima Nakhle will deliver the Concluding Remarks.
Entry to the Lecture is by tickets priced at $150 plus GST per person. Tables seating ten persons each at $1500 plus GST per table are also available. Please call 021-836528 or email venkat@indiannewslink.nz
Our Guest Speakers
Indian Newslink launched the Lecture Series as ‘Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture’ in 2011 and conducted it in July/August every year. Following the conclusion of the ‘Sir Anand Satyanand Series’ in 2018, the Programme was rebranded as the ‘Indian Newslink Lecture Series,’ the first of which was held on Monday, July 29, 2019, at Pullman Hotel in Auckland.
Then Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern was the Guest Speaker at our Lecture held on Thursday, August 6, 2020, at Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Eden Terrace in Auckland, followed by then Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield on August 16, 2021 and then Immigration Minister Hon Michael Wood on February 27, 2023. Ms Arden spoke on ‘My Vision for New Zealand’ with the then Minister for Ethnic Communities and Minister for Building & Construction Hon Jenny Salesa as the Master of Ceremonies. Dr Bloomfield spoke on Covid-19 management, information access and dissemination and other crucial aspects of managing the pandemic, with then Member of Parliament (now Prime Minister) Rt Hon Christopher Luxon as the Master of Ceremonies. Mr Wood spoke on ‘Managing Immigration to Optimise Human Capital,’ with then Minister of Ethnic Communities Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan as the Master of Ceremonies.
Among our former Guest Speakers have been John Allen (former Secretary and Chief Executive, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade), Phil O’Reilly (former Executive of Business New Zealand), Vino Ramayah (former Executive Chairman of Medtech Global and now of Cereus Holdings Limited), Sir Don McKinnon (former Secretary General of the Commonwealth), Graeme Wheeler (former Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand), Jan Dawson (Chairperson of Westpac), Lyn Provost (former Controller & Auditor General), Sir Stephen Tindall (Founder-Chairman of The Warehouse Group), Hon Grant Robertson (Minister of Finance) Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand), Dr Ashley Bloomfield (Director-General of Health) and Hon Michael Wood (Minister of Immigration).
