Mission to India Business Delegation
(Photo/Supplied)
Mumbai, India; 21
March 2025: 33 new business partnerships and other
commercial outcomes were advanced during Prime Minister
Christopher Luxon’s Mission to India this week,
underlining the considerable potential of India to New
Zealand’s exporters and laying the foundation for
long-term growth in trade.
Supported by New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the mission made significant
progress towards the Government’s goal of developing a
broad, deep and enduring strategic relationship with India,
scaling up trade and cultivating strong connections across
education, tourism, sport and culture. The economic impact
of the mission was further enhanced by the launch of
negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between
New Zealand and India, and bilateral agreements to
strengthen ties in horticulture and forestry.
Over the
course of 4 days, the senior business
delegation, led by Dame Therese Walsh, Chair of Air New
Zealand and ASB, and sports ambassador and former New
Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor, embraced the opportunity to
deepen knowledge and lift engagement with one of the
world’s largest and fastest growing
economies.
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“The business delegation worked hard to
build connections and deliver partnerships that will have a
significant impact on New Zealand’s long-term growth
aspirations. As the 5th largest economy in the world, India
is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. I am
confident that through this visit we have made a highly
positive impression that will stand us in good stead for the
future,” said Dame Therese Walsh.
NZTE
Chief Executive Peter Chrisp, said: “When we think about
India, we think about potential. This is a young, energetic,
fast-growing economy. They can add value to us, and we can
add value to them. It’s all about building a set of
long-term, enduring partnerships.”
The
Prime Minister was accompanied by Hon Todd McClay, Minister
for Trade and Investment, Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for
Sport and Recreation, and Hon Louise Upston, Minister for
Tourism and Hospitality.
Mr McClay said: “The
mission has been hugely successful at highlighting the many
ways in which New Zealand and India can prosper through
closer trade ties. We are committed to building connections
across key sectors such as digital technologies, primary
industries, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace
cooperation, all areas where New Zealand and India can
complement each other’s growth.”
Some of the
companies making announcements, launching partnerships and
signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on the mission
included: Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Christchurch
Airport, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, Serko, Rakon, Valocity,
Slumberzone, World of Wearable Art, New Zealand Fashion
Week, QualityNZ Group, University of Auckland, University of
Waikato, Whitecliffe Education, Te Pūkenga, NZ Forest
Managers, Gallagher Security, STAAH and
Anagenix.
India is New Zealand’s 12th largest
trading partner with bilateral trade worth NZ$3.1 billion in
the year to December 2024. Lifting trade with India will
contribute towards achieving the Government’s goal to double
the value of exports over the next ten years.
About
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)
New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) | Te Taurapa Tūhono is the New
Zealand government’s international business development
agency. Our purpose is to grow companies internationally –
bigger, better, faster – for the good of New Zealand. NZTE
uses its extensive knowledge and global networks to help
exporters of all sizes make better decisions and connect to
the right partners and investors.
About NZTE’s work
in India
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has offices
in Mumbai and New Delhi and is working intensively with more
New Zealand exporters to India than ever before, with
numbers increasing by 34% in the last 12 months. Key sectors
include specialised manufacturing, tech and services, and
food and beverage. In 2024, two-way trade between New
Zealand and India was valued at NZ$3.1 billion [YE Dec 2024,
Stats NZ].
NZTE’s recently launched “Illuminate
India” is a market activation and acceleration programme
aimed at expanding the number of New Zealand exporters who
are doing business in India. NZTE works with Kiwi exporters
to strengthen their understanding of the opportunities in
the Indian market, develop an export strategy aligned with
current and projected growth in India, and create and
enhance relationships on the ground to ensure on-going
success for their business in
India.
