Collaboration brings NZ-India business closer

Media Release for Immediate Publication January 26, 2016

Collaboration brings NZ-India business closer

New Zealand based India Trade Alliance (ITA) has begun 2016 strengthening links with two prominent business and industry bodies in India.

“For NZ businesses to work closer with Indian counterparts, we need collaborative working relationships with our counterparts in India to lay a platform for Kiwi firms to be able to engage at the business level,” says ITA Chairman Giri Gupta.

The Alliance’s General Secretary Sunil Kaushal signed Memoranda of Understanding with ASSOCHAM (the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry), and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) in India this month.

These are two of the biggest organisations representing Indian business and industry nationwide.

Kanwaljit Bakshi, New Zealand Member of Parliament and Jane Cunliffe, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) Trade Commissioner to North India were present at the signing of the MoU with CII.

Mr Kaushal also had extensive talks with Ms Cunliffe about India Trade Alliance’s initiatives this year and in future years.

CII is India's premier business association has more than 7100 members, from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 100,000 enterprises from around 240 national and regional sectoral industry bodies.

ITA also met with Grahame Morton, New Zealand High Commissioner to India, who Mr Kaushal says graciously offered support to ITA’s initiatives to promote trade and investment between New Zealand and India.

Earlier ITA also signed a MoU with ASSOCHAM which has in its fold more than 400 Industry Chambers, Trade Associations and serving more than 4,50,000 Corporate Members from all over India.

Speaking to the members of ASSOCHAM, New Zealand High Commissioner Grahame Morton reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to engage with India bilaterally, culturally, academically and in sporting relations.

While in India, Mr Kaushal also met senior Indian officials from trade and foreign affairs ministries.

Among these were Foreign Secretary Dr. S Jaishankar, Trade Negotiator Arvind Mehta and Joint Secretary (South) Mr P Muzumdar.

Mr Kaushal also introduced ITA to the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli, who arrives in New Zealand next month.

(Ends)

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