The cherished ideals of parliamentary democracy with free and fair elections and the representative and consultative form of government are common factors that bind India and New Zealand, a business leader has said.
India New Zealand Business Council Chairman Wenceslaus Anthony said the two countries had many other common ideologies and that it was time to strengthen ties at all levels.
“New Zealand and India have enjoyed longstanding and warm relations and our historical ties go back more than 100 years, with the arrival of the first Indian settlers in 1890 and the Gallipoli landings in 1915.
“While the father of the Indian nation Mahatma Gandhi is revered in New Zealand, the late Sir Edmund Hillary is admired in India,” he said, speaking at a reception held in honour of Meira Kumar, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of parliament on April 13 at Langham Hotel in Auckland.
India’s heritage and civilisation were built on universal spirit and the country has always championed the cause of friendship and goodwill worldwide. As one of the fastest growing countries, India is emerging as a world economic power, he said.
Mr Anthony said New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses can play an important role in lifting bilateral relations with India to a higher level.
Cross-border opportunities
He said that with its vast potential in almost all sectors of the economy, India has been attracting multinationals, manufacturers, distributors and service providers to establishing their presence in major cities.
“Many of the big names across the globe are present in India and it is therefore time for our businesses to make their mark. True, India is full of challenges but the question is, are our businesses ready to face them?”
Mr Anthony said that the Indian Government was open to Foreign Direct investment (FDI) in several core sectors of the economy (with discussions currently focused on aviation) and asked New Zealand companies to identify India as the growth market.
“We are proud of the presence of well-known companies such as Rakon New Zealand, with its manufacturing and technology partner Medtech Globe’s Research and Development Centre and Patton Limited have made their entry in to the Indian market,” he said.
Emerging sectors
“Many others are investing or exploring investment opportunities. Other emerging opportunities are low cost housing, and preventative and curative healthcare at affordable cost. Food processing, sustainable development in infrastructure and technology transfer in Dairy farming and agriculture are also potential areas,” he added.
Mr Anthony said Indian businesses should also consider the excellent investment opportunities available in New Zealand, especially in forestry, coal, and IT sectors.
“Mahindra-Satyam, HCL Technologies, CMC, WIPRO, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Steel, New India Assurance Company Limited, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India have their presence in New Zealand,” he said.
Export Education
He said New Zealand is also a great destination for students from India to pursue their university and tertiary education.
“Our education institutions aim to provide high quality education to ensure students who graduate are equipped and skilled with the potential to succeed in their chosen field.
“Many members of the India New Zealand Business Council are working with education providers to ensure that systems and processes are in place for students to establish their careers in New Zealand or India,” he said.
Ms Kumar’s delegation included her husband Manjul Kumar, Indian MPs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (and his wife Seema), Bhartruhari Mahtab, Radha Mohan Singh, Professor Gopal Yadav, Tarun Mandal, T K Viswanathan, Secretary General of Lok Sabha, M Subbarayudu, Consul General of India based in Perth, Australia and Vijayan Pillai, Second Secretary (Commerce) Indian High Commission, Wellington.
Among those present at the event were Members of Parliament Dr Rajen Prasad (Labour) and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (National), Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry Director Warwick Hawker, Manukau District Court Judge Ajit Singh and ANZ Regional Manager (Auckland) Warwick Booth.
Mr Booth said that ANZ was committed to supporting India-New Zealand business growth.
“We know that for New Zealand to succeed, we need a strong and prosperous economy, which is why ANZ is proud to be Strategic Partner of the India New Zealand Business Council,” he said.
Mr Anthony said that ANZ has been evincing keen interest in the programmes of the Council and in promoting Indo-Kiwi business partnerships.
Among the others who spoke at the event were ANZ Indian Segment Head Sunil Kaushal and Cemix Limited Managing Director Bhav Dhillon (both of who are members of the Executive Committee of the Council).
Later, during her visit to Wellington, Ms Kumar and her delegation held talks with Parliament Speaker Dr Lockwood Smith, Finance Minister (and then Acting Prime Minister) Bill English, Members of the New Zealand branch of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Supreme Court Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias, Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and MPs of Indian origin Dr Prasad and Bakshi.
