New Zealand Bharat Chamber of Commerce and Industry inaugurated
Venkat Raman
Auckland, September 22, 2024
A higher level of relationship between New Zealand and India will be mutually beneficial and enhance the region’s peace, prosperity and security, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in Auckland yesterday (September 21).
Speaking after inaugurating the New Zealand Bharat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NZBCCI) at the Diversity Centre of the Indian Association of Manukau in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe, he said that New Zealand recognises the impact of getting closer to the world’s largest democracy and the largest consumer market.
Pushing forward with India
“India has achieved astonishing growth in recent years and is poised to improve its economic performance. We acknowledge the important role played by India’s High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan in strengthening ties. We are very keen to have stronger ties,” he said.
Mr Peters said that there was a need to ‘push forward’ with India.
“Despite the long and deep-rooted relations, India is only our 12th largest trading partner. We need to reset our foreign policy to get closer to India. Our Trade Minister (Todd McClay) has visited India three times in nine months. But we need to do more with consistency and adherence to good friendship. India appreciates New Zealand’s reputation for transparency and honesty,” he said.
Praising the Indian Diaspora for its contributions to better bilateral ties, Mr Peters said that New Zealanders enjoy participating in many Indian festivals including Diwali and Holi.
“Our relationship with India should go beyond trade. We have discussed Supply Chains, renewal energy and the possibility of direct airlink. Uninterrupted air services between India and New Zealand will be a major boost. We should reinvigorate our relations,” he said.
Mr Peters said New Zealand welcomes students from India, adding that ‘sharing knowledge is always great.’
NZBCCI, a fillip to relations
Earlier, along with India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, officially launched the NZBCCI, with a video link to the Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry. President Mahesh Bindra (former New Zealand First Member of Parliament), who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gujarat Chamber at the event said that the establishment of the Chamber in New Zealand will add a fillip to relations with India and that Gujarat attracts foreign investment and commercial organisations with its friendly policies and simplified procedures.
“The formation of this Chamber has been a step-by-step approach with a strong focus on value-added services to facilitate better trade, commercial and investment relations between the two countries. Our association with the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry will allow us to work closely with companies in Gujarat and help us to expand further. We hope to formalise such relationships with Chambers of Commerce and Industry in all the States of India,” he said.
Among the Directors of the NZBCCI are Mahesh Bindra (Chairman), Roy Kaunds (Secretary), Sukerna Amirapu (Treasurer), Edwin Paul, Major Ron Mark (former Defence Minister), Jacob Mannothra, Prithi Pal Singh Basra, Alan Nicholson, Fletcher Tabuteau and Sudhanshu Mehta (Chairman, NZBCCI Bharat Chapter).
Mr Bindra advised New Zealand businesses to ‘understand India first, establish a presence and then engage seriously with their Indian counterparts.’
Ms Bhushan said that the exponential growth of the Indian economy has opened up rich potential for mutually beneficial engagement.
The Indian Economy
“The Indian economy is now the fifth largest in the world and is poised to become the third largest before the end of this decade. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, infrastructure has made rapid strides. We are building 75 kms of roads and 45 kms of highways every day. Investors and companies should be in India to do business. The High Commission in Wellington and our newly opened Consulate General Office in Auckland will provide all information and possible guidance,” she said.
Paying tributes to the New Zealand government and Mr Peters for the efforts to improve relations with India, Ms Bhushan asked New Zealand companies to consider ‘second-tier cities’ (such as Agra, Bhopal, Jaipur and Visakhapatnam), which are becoming engines of growth.
“Today’s India accounts for a large middle class of more than 500 million people. They are keen to improve their standard of living, pursue higher education, buy high-quality goods and travel overseas. We are keen to expand trade with New Zealand,” she said and added that carpets installed in the new Parliament building in New Zealand were made from more than 20,000 kilograms of wool imported from New Zealand.
(Photo by Madhav Pradhan)
NZBCCI General Secretary Roy Kaunds outlined the aims and objectives of the organisation and explained the symbolism of the logo created by an artist in Mumbai.
Among those present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan, Sanjeev Kumar and Divya, respectively Consul and Vice-Consul at the office of the Indian Consulate General Office in Auckland and business and community leaders.
All photos supplied by Madhav Pradhan
