New Zealand is keen to expand its exposure in India and utilise better the existing and emerging opportunities for a more constructive engagement, new Consul General and Trade Commissioner (Mumbai) Gavin Young said.
He told Opportunities Today, a Mumbai based Education, Tourism and Trade magazine that the New Zealand Government was keen on raising the country’s profile in key sectors and that the opening of the new Consular office in Mumbai was a step in the right direction.
Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman will officially open the new office in Mumbai on March 18. The mission, accommodating the offices of the Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), and New Zealand Tourism, is located at (Level 2), Number 3 North Avenue, Maker Maxity, Bandra-Kurla Complex (Phone: 0091-22-61316668 Fax: 0091-22-61316673
Email: nzcg.mumbai@nzte.govt.nz).
Among the dignitaries attending the inauguration are New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India Jan Anderson, industrialist and Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in Mumbai Sushil Jiwarajka and ANZ India Chief Executive Subhas DeGamia.
Enhanced Presence
The India New Business Council (INZBC), which has chapters in Wellington, Christchurch and Wellington, will be represented by its Patron Sir Richard Hadlee, Chairman Wenceslaus Anthony, Deputy Chairperson Raga D’Silva and Committee Members including Sunil Kaushal and Robert Barker.
Dr Coleman and Sir Richard will address a meeting organised by INZBC on March 17 at the Trident in Bandra Kurla Complex, followed by lunch hosted by ANZ India.
Mr Anthony said the event was a milestone in the history of bilateral relations between New Zealand and India.
“We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious event and will be working closely with the New Zealand and Indian Governments, NZTE, FICCI, trade associations, and businesses to promote Indo-Kiwi ties. This is the first major engagement with which our Council is involved,” he said.
He said meetings have been scheduled between INZBC and FICCI to explore ways and means of enhancing cooperation between businesses in both countries.
Mr Anthony will also be attending the World Cup Cricket Match One Day International between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 18 as a special invitee.
Mr Young recently took charge of his assignment. He was earlier in Dubai as Head of Middle East operations of NZTE and more recently in Wellington to manage a project to develop the Horticulture Industry Strategy to make it a $10 billion industry by 2020. He also headed projects on traceability and functional foods and has a wide understanding of exporters and their objectives.
He told Opportunities Today that in his role as Consul General and Trade Commissioner, he would expand business–to–people and people–to–people connections.
“Building the network amongst the Indian business community in areas where New Zealand has something unique to offer India is a key part of plan. We will also concentrate on trade missions, raising the profile of New Zealand in key sectors,” Mr Young said.
