Goyal interacted with NZ businessmen in Auckland-Rotorua
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Todd McClay, Minister of Trade have reaffirmed the strong commitment of India and New Zealand to enhance their economic engagement and underlined the importance of the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations in shaping a stronger, mutually beneficial economic partnership.
The discussions were held at the India–New Zealand Business Forum which was organized on 7 Nov by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the High Commission of India, Wellington.
The forum brought together senior government officials, leading industry representatives, and key business stakeholders from both countries to showcase the depth of India–New Zealand economic relations and to explore new avenues for partnership and collaboration.
During his visit to Auckland and Rotorua this week, Goyal interacted with several prominent New Zealand business leaders, including Carmen Vicelich, CEO of Valocity; Ranjay Sikka, CEO of Slumberzone; Nathan Guy, Chairman of the Meat Industry Association; and Tony Clifford, Managing Director, Pan Pac.
The interactions reflected the growing interest in expanding cooperation with India across diverse sectors such as agriculture, tourism, technology, education, sports, gaming, and drone technology. Given India’s significant advancements in the space sector, including its recent lunar missions, space collaboration was identified as a promising area for future engagement.
At Rotorua, Goyal addressed a CEO Roundtable attended by members of the Indian business delegation and CEOs from leading New Zealand enterprises. He reiterated the significance of the FTA as a symbol of bilateral friendship, trust, and strategic partnership, while highlighting India’s attractiveness as a global investment destination offering vast opportunities for value addition and innovation.
Goyal and McClay also engaged with members of the Indian diaspora in both Auckland and Rotorua.
In Auckland, Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, joined them in addressing the Indian community. He emphasized the vital role of the Indian diaspora as a “living bridge” between India and New Zealand, echoing the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Goyal encouraged members of the diaspora to continue contributing to the growth and development of New Zealand—their Karm-Bhoomi—while staying deeply connected to their roots in India, and to take on leadership roles in strengthening communities in both countries.
The Indian business delegation held a series of interactions with key New Zealand enterprises to explore synergies and potential collaborations. Site visits to Red Stag—New Zealand’s largest sawmill—Fonterra Co-operative Group’s Dairy and Food Innovation Headquarters, and the Auckland University Innovation Hub facilitated productive discussions on trade and investment opportunities across sectors.
The visit underscored New Zealand’s emerging position as a strategic partner in India’s growth journey and reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening bilateral economic linkages and fostering long-term cooperation with New Zealand, the Commerce and Industry Minister said. fiinews.com
