Venkat Raman –
Two Groups aiming to promote two-way trade, investment, tourism and education with India are keen to be at their best, which in essence could be a good thing for businesses in both countries, although there is a looming risk of polarisation of the community.
In the immediate context however, the New Zealand economy in general and the IT sector in particular can expect a good harvest of ICT investment from India, following a highly successful visit of IT experts from the South Indian State of Kerala.
The two organisations – the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) that marked its 26th anniversary and the India Trade Alliance (ITA) formed three months ago have their respective strengths, which if combined, could become a formidable force in establishing a more mutually rewarding relationship between Kiwi and Indian businesses.
Among the highlights of the visit of the IT delegation was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between two companies at a meeting organised by INZBC at the office of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) in Auckland last week.
INZBC sores high
Officials of 14 companies from the ‘GTech Park’ in the State Capital of Trivandrum, led by P H Kurian, Principal Secretary to the Kerala government, held a series of meetings on October 27, 2015 under the aegis of INZBC. The meetings were held at Auckland Council (with Councillor Arthur Anae in the absence of Mayor Len Brown), Auckland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI), AUT University and NZTE with the support of the Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
Public Private Partnership
INZBC Executive Committee Member and former Chair Wenceslaus Anthony said that the visit of Indian IT experts was the result of the joint effort of INZBC, ATEED and NZTE.
He described it as “a great example of INZBC working with like-minded credible organisations in the larger interest of the India-New Zealand trade relationship.”
ITA adds value
ITA organised a dinner reception the previous evening (October 26, 2015) at India Gate Restaurant in Epsom in honour of the visiting delegation. Among those present were Members of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (National) and Mahesh Bindra (New Zealand First), ITA Chairman Giri Gupta, Deputy Chairmen Dr Don Brash and Dr Richard Worth, Treasurer Vijay Goel, NZTE Marketing Manager (India, Middle East & Africa) Maria Gray, ATEED Chief Executive Bret O’Riley and many others.
ITA forging relations
Mr Gupta said that the Alliance is in the process of forging relationships with business and industry stakeholders including NZTE and ATEED.
“ITA aims to provide the necessary linkages and connections to its members so that they are able to grow their businesses locally and internationally, beginning with building on our relationships in both New Zealand and India,” he said.
Dr Worth said, “Five years back when you looked at the Indian community in Auckland, it seemed incredibly inward looking, it was a highly committed community, hardworking, law abiding, but inward looking, Now, the Indian community in Auckland just blossomed, I feel same thing is true about India as well.”
Support assured
Mr Kurian hoped that the MoU, signed between Experion Technologies of Kerala and Wellington based Jay Changlani in the presence of Renjith Ranmanujam (GTech Chief Executive), INZBC Treasurer Bhav Dhillon and others would be the first of many more such agreements to follow.
“We had many meetings since mornings with various government officials and all have been very fruitful. We hope that the MoU is just the beginning and would like to see many more such collaboration taking place in coming years,” Mr Kurian said.
Indian Newslink will publish the press notes of INZBC and ITA, along with our own observations in its next (November 15, 2015) issue.
Photo :
- Witnesses to a Memo (from left) Bhav Dhillon, Wenceslaus Anthony, Jay Changlani, Binu Jacob, Binu Jacob (Chief Executive, Experion Technologies) P H Kurian and Hrishikesh Nair (Chief Executive, GTech Park)
- Meeting at Auckland Council with (from left) Renjith Ramanujam, Binu Jacob, Brett O’Riley, P H Kurian, Arthur Anae, Elizabeth Gollan (ATEED), Bhav Dhillon, Hrishikesh Nair, Kimberley Wu (Auckland Council)
- Giri Gupta with Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Brett O’Riley
