Venkat Raman –
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) has pledged to work with the stakeholders and business leaders to advocate for better representation of women on company boards and in governance roles in line with the global objective of better empowerment of women.
The Organisation also promised to extend this objective in collaborating with agencies and business associations in India.
The pledge was made at a meeting hosted by INZBC for a delegation of women entrepreneurs and bureaucrats representing the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO), an independent women’s Chapter of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry functioning throughout India.
Crucial meetings
INZBC Government Relations Head Wenceslaus Anthony, Wellington Chapter Chairman Jay Changlani, India’s High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli, Head of Chancery Sandeep Sood and many others were present at the meeting.
They were also present at meetings held at Massey University and New Zealand Parliament on September 27, 2016.
The 43-women delegation, led by FICCI FLO President Vinita Bimbhet was in New Zealand on a week-ling visit, during which they were accorded opportunities to understand the business practices of New Zealand, the government’s commitment to achieve gender equality and the ongoing programmes to enhance the role of women in public and private undertakings.
Common destiny
Ms Bimbhet said that India and New Zealand share a common historical connection and have been fellow travelers in their commitment to disarmament, global peace and ecological preservation.
“We look forward, with this visit to your beautiful country, to take our relationship to a new level, open fresh avenues to promote co-operation in trade, investment, services and women economic empowerment between the two countries,” she said, speaking at a reception hosted by National MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar and INZBC in the Executive Wing of Parliament on September 27, 2016.
Promoting women
Mr Anthony said that India’s corporate world is today enriched with presence of women in the board rooms, but more initiatives would be welcome.
“This was one of the notions that emerged during our meeting with the members of the visiting delegation. As an All-India forum for women, FLO has headquarters in New Delhi and 13 chapters across India, representing women entrepreneurs and professionals,” he said.
“INZBC and FICCI are partners in progress and the FLO delegation in New Zealand will help boost these ties. INZBC will help in launching FLO in New Zealand, by working along with FICCI and the Indian High Commission,” he added.
Dr Parmar outlined the role of women in politics and business in New Zealand and how more can be done to have gender parity in business and in the society.
The gathering was also addressed by Celia Wade-Brown, the then Mayor of Wellington. She gave an overview of the business and economic opportunities available in the Capital.
Mr Kohli spoke about the economic environment that exists between India and New Zealand and the ensuing opportunities.
Boosting bilateral ties
He said, “This is a great time for both countries to partner together to forge good trade ties and women on both sides of the world can help develop more harmonious and richer relations as women make stronger ties.”
The FLO delegation also visited the Massey University department heads, who gave an overview of the various studies and research being pursued in the field of business and migrants.
The visiting delegation also met a cross-section of business leaders in Wellington at a networking event organised in association with BusinessNZ.
The event saw kiwi businesses from the television and film, software, jewellery and business intelligence industries speaking about their respective sectors.
Similar presentations were made by some Indian businesses to the Kiwi businesses. This speed networking event was appreciated by the FLO delegation.
INZBC Treasurer Bhav Dhillon said that the organisation has been working with the Indian High Commission to host business and political delegations from India, thereby promoting closer ties between the two countries.
“These people-to-people and government-to-business interactions are the main elements for enhancing the trade ties between both the countries,” he said.
