New Zealand (NZ) government and industry professionals are optimistic free trade agreements negotiations will continue, following the recent election of president Narendra Modi in India.
At seminars arranged by the India-New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) in May, NZ associate tourism minister Todd McClay said the emerging market in India offered New Zealand the opportunity to strengthen its presence in the country.
NZ trade and enterprise commissioner for India, Richard White, echoed McClay’s outlook, emphasising the importance of using the 2015 Cricket World Cup in India as a platform for NZ companies to increase their influence in India.
'We've got firms doing really good things in food and beverage including important horticultural products like kiwifruit and apples,” said White during an INZBC tourism seminar, according to a press release. “In the past year, thanks to great work by MFAT and the Primary Industries Ministry, access for lamb and avocados has also improved.'
India imports kiwifruit, apples and avocados from New Zealand, and since 2010 negotiations have been underway to establish a free trade agreement between the nations.
