Visiting IT delegation sees new synergies
This is the second part of ‘One Mission, Two bodies.’ The first relating to India Trade Alliance appears elsewhere in this Section.
The visit of GTech to New Zealand last month was the result of a joint effort of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC), New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), New Zealand Technology Industry Association (NZTIA) and the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
It was a great example of INZBC working with like-minded credible organisations in the larger interest of the India-New Zealand trade relationship.
On October 27, 2015, Chief Executives of fourteen Indian IT companies from GTech Park, Kerala, met with many business leaders of New Zealand at the NZTE office on Quay Street, Auckland. There were presentations given by each of the participating companies detailing the products they manufacture and services they provide.
There was also an opportunity for one on one interaction between the business enterprises.
Developing bonds
The delegate, headed by P H Kurian, Principal Secretary of the Kerala Government, comprised many startup and well established companies like Neologix Software Solutions, Mozanta Technologies and Acolade.
The purpose of the meeting was to get the business communities from both Kerala and New Zealand to interact with each other so as to develop mutual trading bonds and forge collaboration between companies.
The first meeting was held at the Auckland Council Headquarters with Councillor Arthur Anae and ATEED Chief Executive Bret O’Riley.
On behalf of the Mayor, Mr Anae pledged support to the GTech Group to collaborate with Auckland businesses in the IT sector.
The next meeting was held with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chief Executive Michael Barnett who was keen to pass on the opportunity to its 5000 members for possible collaborations.
A working lunch and an ethnic television Question & Answer session was held at the Bank of Baroda New Zealand Limited office in Mt Eden.
A very successful interaction was held with high ranking AUT officials and a session was held at the AUT Business School.
MoU signed
The main event revolving around this delegation was geld at NZTE offices in the evening where over 100 business people attended and all the delegates gave power point presentations, followed by one-on-one meetings and actual business matchmaking.
This visit was a great success as actual business was transacted and was not just a talking forum.
The highlight of the meet was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between a company from Kerala and a company in Wellington.
The agreement was witnessed by Mr Kurian, Renjith Ranmanujam (Chief Executive of the GTech Group), Bhav Dhillon, INZBC Treasurer and others.
An elated Mr P H Kurian, said, “Our delegation to Auckland has been very successful. We had many meetings since morning with various government officials and all have been very fruitful. All that has culminated in one member of our delegation signing a trading contract with a business in Wellington. This, we hope is just the beginning and would like to see many more such collaboration taking place in coming years.”
Huge opportunity
Graeme Muller, NZTIA Chief Executive said, “From a New Zealand’s perspective, India is a huge opportunity but there has been a lack of understanding and awareness. Today, we have a large Indian population in New Zealand which makes so much more sense to build bridge between the two countries.”
“Relationship between the IT sectors is quite nice because most sectors in New Zealand can be tech-centric, be it agro-tech, energy, health or education sector. All these form a good channel into the Indian market. So the tech relationship can provide the pathway for New Zealand to get to the larger market in India,” he added.
Wenceslaus Anthony is a former Chairperson of the India New Zealand Business Council and currently a member of its Executive Committee.
