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India offers Services Sector for free trade

Supplied Content (Edited)

India New Zealand Business Council

Auckland, May 5, 2017

India and New Zealand have a lot of common ground and big sectors where they can mutually benefit. That was the main essence of the speech of Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive of the Delhi based National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) in Auckland on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) and MFAT had jointly organized a dinner for select business leaders to meet and interact with Mr Kant at Pullman Hotel.

Positive Signals

Mr Kant sent a very strong positive signal that India wants to work closely with New Zealand in all areas of trade and commerce. He invited the attending business leaders to come forward and invest in India or collaborate with entrepreneurs in India, for taking the business forward.

He also claimed that India is more than ready for a free-trade agreement with New Zealand and is just waiting for Wellington to present an offer on liberalising the services sector to allow Indian companies to compete here.

Mr Kant appraised the delegates on the good work being done by the current (Narendra) Modi government in bringing fast change to the way the government runs. From the good effects of demonetisation, digitisation of banking and removal of all old rules and laws, he covered a lot of areas where growth and development can be seen.

Direct Flights

Amitabh was also keen that the direct flights from India to NZ should start soon. He was appreciative of the fact that INZBC was there to witness the signing of the code share agreement when the Indian president had come to New Zealand in 2016.

Wenceslaus Anthony, INZBC Head of Government Relations said, “MFAT worked with INZBC to get the top business leaders of the country in one room. We had good representation from all sectors. From heads of banks, to forestry, logistics, cold storage, IT, finance, etc. all major sectors were covered by the attendees.”

Bill English

Mr Kant emphasised that Mr Modi is an inspiration to the business community. He also said, “INZBC is a dependable Strategic Partner for Trade and Business between India and NZ and has both the countries interest always.”

On his meeting with Prime Minister Bill English, he quoted him as saying, “I will approach the role in the same positive manner as my friend and predecessor John Key (i.e. to build an enduring and successful partnership with India that will bring in huge rewards for both our countries in the years to come).”

Sameer Handa, INZBC board member said, “The arrival of Mr Kant, is very timely, as after demonetisation, people wanted to know how the economy is doing and what are the opportunities now. His trip has been very positive and gives a boost to the business confidence.”

About NITI Ayog:

NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. While designing strategic and long term policies and programmes for the Government of India, NITI Aayog also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.

At the core of NITI Aayog’s creation are two hubs – Team India Hub and the Knowledge and Innovation Hub. The Team India Hub leads the engagement of states with the Central government, while the Knowledge and Innovation Hub builds NITI’s think-tank capabilities. These hubs reflect the two key tasks of the Aayog.

Mr Kant was presented with a Brochure of the INZBC Summit 2017, which is due to be held in the latter half of this year.

For more details, please visit www.inzbc.org

Editor’s Note: Mr Kant was visiting New Zealand as the Prime Minister’s Sir Edmund Hillary Fellow (2017). During his eight-day stay, he met Prime Minister Bill English, Ministers, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT), the business community, students at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and others. He visited several places of tourist interest. He was accompanied by his wife Ranjeeta, a renowned painter, who has also worked extensively in the field of designing in Delhi and Kerala.

Photo Caption:

Amitabh Kant speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade-India New Zealand Business Council Dinner at Pullman Hotel on Wednesday, May 3, 2017.

Picture by INZBC

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