Venkat Raman
Auckland, November 27, 2020
Interactive Session of New Zealand India Alliance on December 1
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/a-passage-to-india-series-registration-128834610789
The state of bilateral relations between New Zealand and India, the ways of engagement, the role of the private sector and other issues of relevance are expected to be discussed with New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India David Pine next week.
Auckland based New Zealand India Trade Alliance (NZITA) is organising the meeting under its ‘A Passage to India’ series at the offices of Ernst & Young, EY Building, 2 Takutai Square, Britomart in Auckland’s Central Business District from 530 pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Mr Pine assumed charge as New Zealand’s High Commissioner after presenting his credentials online to India’s President Ram Nath Kovind.
https://mailchi.mp/a902945d4266/digieco22jul19-2139625
He is concurrent (Non-Resident) High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Ambassador to Nepal but is yet to present his credentials to the respective Presidents Abdul Hamid and Bidya Devi Bhandari in view of travel restrictions imposed due to Covid-19.
New Zealand acknowledges that India is a major economic force in Asia and is fast becoming a global power in manufacturing, investment, trade and services. Successive New Zealand governments have also taken note of India’s huge human capital with the advantage of its youthful population.
India-New Zealand Relations
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website (MFAT) says, “We have taken significant steps in our trade and economic relationship over the past five years. Services trade has doubled to $1.2 billion, and this has helped in taking the total trade (goods and services) to around $2.64 billion. Tourism has likewise more than doubled since 2011, with over 65,000 Indian tourists visiting New Zealand in the year to November 2019. India is New Zealand’s second largest source of international students, with over 17,000 Indian students studying in New Zealand.”
These figures are less than impressive because the performance does not match the potential and does not compare with New Zealand’s trade statistics with other large economies.
MFAT also recognises that “There are opportunities to grow exports in areas such as professional services, in-country provision of Education, Healthcare and Aviation.”
Impossible Free Trade Agreement
New Zealand and India have been in talks for a Free Trade Agreement since the Summer of 2007 but to date, there has been more rhetoric than action. Success on this issue remains in New Zealand’s acceptance of reality and obtain an Agreement covering the Services Sector.
India will always (rightly so) ensure that its agricultural and dairy industries are not affected by any pact that will bring them in direct competition with tariff-free imports.
It is hoped that Mr Pine will address some of these issues in his speech at the forthcoming meeting being organised by NZITA.
About David Pine
An experienced career diplomat, he has been the Head of New Zealand’s missions in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam) and Manila (Philippines) and in New York (USA) and Canberra (Australia).
He was also Director, Economic Division at MFAT.
Mr Pine was in the local government and private sector for about five years, with assignments at Christchurch City Council, University of Otago and International Rugby Academy of New Zealand, giving him an insight into the governance of large organisations.
He also chaired the Advisory Group to select New Zealand’s Centres of Asia Pacific Excellence, a $34.5 million investment by the government.
Rare perspective
NZITA Secretary General Surinder Ogra said that Mr Pine will provide a rare perspective, having worked both in the Private and the Government sector.
“This is an opportunity for New Zealand business leaders, marketing managers, friends of India, Importers and Exporters, Chief Executives, Chief Financial Officers, Startups and others to hear from a celebrated business leader,” he said.
Mr Ogra suggested that those interested should register their names to attend the Tie and Dress event since seats are limited.
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