Piyush Goyal holds meeting with New Zealand Trade Minister McClay

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 20-12-2023

Piyush Goyal holds meeting with New Zealand Trade Minister McClay

Government Initiative 4 min read

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a bilateral trade meeting with New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay in New Delhi on 19 December 2023. New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McLay was in New Delhi on a visit to India.

Objective of Bilateral Trade Meeting:

The objective of this meeting is to strengthen trade relations between India and New Zealand.
To find new opportunities for mutual development and cooperation between the two countries.

Main issues of bilateral trade meeting:

During the meeting, both the Ministers recognised the importance of trade facilitation. It mainly includes:
- Streamlining business processes
- Reducing trade barriers and
- Promoting a more favourable environment for businesses and investors in both countries
In this context, New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McLay appreciated the efforts made by India to resolve the issue related to export of wooden logs to India.
Both ministers further committed to enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
Goyal and McClay highlighted the need to deepen engagement in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, pharma, connectivity, education and tourism.
Goyal and McClay acknowledged the strong ties in engagement between businesses in the two countries.
During the meeting, both Ministers agreed to hold an annual meeting of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) established under the India-New Zealand Trade Agreement of 1986.
Emphasis on new initiatives to encourage collaboration of technology and expertise for genuine mutual benefit.
Furthermore, the two Ministers exchanged views on global trade dynamics.
The two ministers also held brief discussions on issues related to the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC).

India-New Zealand relations:

There are very old friendly relations between the two countries. It generally dates back to the mid-19th century, when Indians settled in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, in the 1850s.
Large numbers of immigrants from Punjab and Gujarat went to New Zealand in the 1890s.
Indian soldiers fought alongside the Anzacs at Gallipoli in 1915.
India and New Zealand have cordial and friendly relations. These relationships are rooted in the context of the Commonwealth, parliamentary democracy and the English language.
Both countries became independent in the same year. India's diplomatic representation was established in 1950 with the inauguration of a Trade Commission. It was later converted into a High Commission.
Both countries express confidence in their commitment to disarmament, global peace, North-South dialogue, and combating international terrorism.