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Auckland, June 15, 2018
Building relationships and leveraging the opportunities that India and Indians present was the subject of discussion at a meeting of the New Zealand Indian Trade Alliance (NZITA) held in Auckland on June 14, 2018.
The meeting, held in partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) at its offices in Auckland Central, was second in a series called, ‘Reimagining India New Zealand Relationship.’ The theme of the discussion was ‘Developing Economic and Foreign Relations.’
Power of Indo-Kiwi Relations
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Parliamentary Under-Secretary to Foreign Minister and Regional Economic Development Minister Fletcher Tabuteau was the Guest Speaker.
He spoke about the contrast and power of the New Zealand-India Relationship.
He said that the meeting held between Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit last year enhanced the already existing warm relations between the two countries.
Describing the ties between New Zealand and India as ‘historic,’ Mr Tabuteau said that bilateral relations continue to grow, and that India is the sixth largest services market for New Zealand.
Potential for growth
“India is the most developed country in South Asia and there is immense potential to develop our trade, economic and social ties. There are many existing and emerging opportunities and there is scope for NZITA to play an important role,” he said.
Valocity Head of Asia Pacific Kerry Stewart spoke about the new automated software system that has been set up by his company in India.
“It simplifies mortgage lending and property valuation process. The big move by the current government to regulate the environment around real estate has made India an ideal market for us. The ‘Housing for all by 2020’ goal of the government was also a key factor for us to establish our presence in India,” he said.
Positive changes in India
Addressing the various challenges that companies face while setting up in India, Mr Stewart said that continuous efforts of the Modi government are positively changing the market environment in India.
“Demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes has curbed the Black Money Market in India and has made dealing across the country very transparent,” he said.
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Photo Caption:
Fletcher Tabuteau (fourth from right) with (from left) former Trade Commissioner to India Richard White, NZITA Executive Committee Member Stephen Brown, Chairman Giri Gupta, Secretary General Sunil Kaushal, Labour MP Priyanca Radhakrishnan, ASB Business Development Manager Surinder Ogra and NZITA Executive Committee Member Aldrin Thayalakal.
(Picture Supplied)
