On Monday, Pullman Hotel, Auckland City 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 27, 2024
While governments everywhere are emphasising the need to function in an open market economy with free movement of goods, services and people, are Free Trade Agreements becoming an anachronism?
The Global Challenges
If yes, why are countries still trying to achieve higher levels of Closer Economic Cooperation and High-Grade bilateral relations? Why do trade with political and economic blocs such as the European Union, the GCC, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific and the Pacific Islands Forum continue to exercise influence in regional trade?
Is New Zealand leveraging itself well to achieve its objectives in a tough geopolitical environment despite moves to a global economic order? What are the issues confronting the current government and how will the future dictate trade policies and programmes?
How are we managing the world’s second-largest economy (China) while attempting to get closer to the world’s fastest-growing economy (India)?
These and other related issues will be discussed by Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay at the Indian Newslink Annual Lecture on August 19, 2024 at Pullman Hotel in Auckland City.
His Lecture will be under the broad theme of ‘The significance of Trade Agreements in a Global, Open Market Economy.’ This is a profound event for top executives and public officials involved in governance portfolios. You have attended a couple of our Lectures in the past when we had Prime Ministers and others deliver their Lecture.
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan will provide an overview of her country’s rising status as the world’s preferred destination for trade and investment.
Duco Consultancy Chief Executive Chandan Ohri will provide his ‘Reflections’ on the Lecture and the Overview, in light of the current global developments.
Details of the other speakers will be announced shortly.
About Todd McClay
Since taking charge as the Trade Minister, Mr McClay’s first overseas visit was to India, underscoring his government’s seriousness in getting closer to the world’s largest market and many other countries including New Zealand’s strong trading partners.
His Ministry has also been initiating reforms in the core sectors that influence trade. These include a new fillip to the forestry sector, energising the FTA engagement with Europe, the United Kingdom and the Gulf Arab States.
As well as initiating Negotiations on Services Trade with China as a part of the FTA Upgrade Protocol of 2022, he signed three Agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will provide access to several important markets including Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand the United States of America and Vietnam.
About Neeta Bhushan
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan has been an active diplomat since presenting her credentials on October 4, 2022. She has organised and attended business meetings, seminars and discussions with trade and government organisations, business associations and group discussions. She is keen to promote Indo-Kiwi ties in trade, investment, human resources placements, higher education, research and development and a host of other areas where synergies exist between the two countries.
Ms Bhushan’s participation at the Indian Newslink Lecture this year will provide an opportunity to understand the thinking of the government in Delhi and the opportunities available for New Zealand companies to utilise the existing and emerging opportunities.
About Chandan Ohri
A Chartered Accountant, IT Specialist, Chairman of educational institutions and private training establishments and corporate leader, Chandan Ohri has worked for some of the world’s largest companies including KPMG and IBM in his impressive career that spans almost three decades. As the Chief Executive of Duco Consultancy with offices in New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, the United States of America and India, he focuses on delivering high-quality and futuristic business, accounting and technology practices. His insight into trade and commerce is valuable to a growing number of national and international clients.
About the Lecture
Good Corporate Governance is the theme under the Indian Newslink Sir Anand Satyanand Lecture series began in 2011. Rebranded as the Indian Newslink Annual Lecture in 2019, these Lectures have brought together the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, former Foreign Ministers, Chairmen and Chief Executives of multinationals and officials to articulate issues of relevance that will contribute to New Zealand’s Sustainability.
The Indian Newslink Annual Lecture is a Black-Tie, formal event, entry to which is by tickets priced at $150 plus GST per person at Pullman Hotel, Auckland City. Tables seating 10 persons at $1500 plus GST are also available. For details, please call 021836528. Email: venkat@indiannewslink.nz
