Emerging and existing opportunities and problems and challenges relating to trade with India would come under focus at a seminar due to be held on July 8 in Auckland.
Education, Trade & Technology Alliance New Zealand Inc (ETTNZ) is organising the event at Stamford Plaza Hotel, with Trade Minister Tim Groser leading a panel of speakers.
The luncheon programme will be held from 12 pm to 3 pm.
Among the other speakers are former South Asia Trade Commissioner Paul Vaughan, ZIndia Limited Managing Director Jacob Mannothra and AB International Managing Director and Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) National President Ashok Bhatia.
The Seminar comes at a time when New Zealand and India are engaged in negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), for which the first round of talks were held in Wellington in April. While the road to the signing and actual implementation of the Agreement would be long and arduous, there is an apparent need to guide businesses on the most effective way of dealing with their counterparts in India.
Mr Groser is expected to present practical tips for trade deals with India and provide a realistic assessment of the inherent problems and challenges.
He told this reporter during a recent informal conversation that both countries were upbeat about a successful outcome of FTA.
“A Free Trade Agreement is in the best interests of New Zealand and India. While we will have access to the largest consumer market in the world, our products and technical support will be of great benefit to India.
“We have to put our synergies together and work towards the common good,” he said.
Mr Vaughn spent three years in India, handling trade issues as an official of the Trade Ministry and the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise. His advice to traders and entrepreneurs dealing with India would be practical and useful.
ZIndia Limited, winner of the Best Exporter to India Business of the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2008 and 2009 was established exclusively to export logs and timber to India. Mr Mannothra has been fighting a lone battle against unhealthy business practices, cutthroat competition and price war perpetrated by other exporters of logs and timber to India.
“India is a major consumer of our timber products and can be developed as a reliable destination. But other exporters are queering the pitch to the detriment of the New Zealand forest industry and the economy,” he said.
Mr Bhatia has had long innings as a major importer of food and household products from India, with a growing network of manufacturers and suppliers. He has often felt the need for streamlined government regulations, procedures and systems in both countries. He has also been keen to resolve a number of issues confronting importers.
ETTANZ Chair Chad Wilkie said understanding the way to do business with India on a day-to-day basis was as important as negotiating FTA.
“We have structured the Seminar to reflect this important aspect of business and trade. Participants can seek information and clarification on issues from Mr Groser and other speakers during the Question and Answer Session.
“ETTNZ provides leadership to enable New Zealand businesses to exploit new opportunities in international markets, with a focus on emerging markets like India, China and the Association of South East Asian Nations member countries,” he said.
Entry to the Seminar is through tickets priced at $75 for guests and $65 for ETTANZ and India New Zealand Business Council Members. Both prices include GST.
Tables seating ten persons, priced at $600 are also available.
Further information can be obtained from ETTANZ Treasurer Sandeep Aggarwal on 021-607076. Email: Email: info@ettanz.org Web: www.ettanz.org
