India, New Zealand discuss measures to reduce trade barriers, promote investor and business-friendly environment

The trade ministers of India and New Zealand discussed measures to streamline trade processes, reduce trade barriers, and promote a conducive environment for businesses and investors from both nations during a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi on December 20.

New Delhi: India and New Zealand trade ministers on Wednesday, during a bilateral meeting here, discussed measures to streamline trade processes, reduce trade barriers, and promote a more conducive environment for businesses and investors from both nations.

The meeting between Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay was aimed at strengthening the trade relations between India and New Zealand and exploring opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation, an official statement said.

Minister Goyal and Minister McClay recognized the importance of trade facilitation and discussed measures to streamline trade processes, reduce trade barriers, and promote a more conducive environment for businesses and investors from both nations.

In this context, the Trade Minister of New Zealand appreciated the efforts made by India to sort out the issue related to the export of wooden logs to India. He also commended India’s Presidency of G20 and the outcomes thereof, which are significant milestones as it seeks to find practical global solutions for the benefit of all.

Both the ministers acknowledged the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect and expressed their commitment to further enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation. They highlighted the need to deepen engagement in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, pharma, connectivity, education, and tourism.

They acknowledged the strong step-up in engagement between businesses in the two countries, and the desirability of ensuring this provides impetus to the Government-to-Government dialogue. The importance of the annual meeting of the Joint Trade Committee (JTC), established under the 1986 India-New Zealand Trade Agreement, and regular engagement at a senior level was also acknowledged. The ministers agreed that both sides should meet regularly, as convenient, for bilateral discussions on trade and investment issues and cooperative activities.

In committing to strengthen the trade and economic relationship, India and New Zealand, expressed the need to increase engagement between both countries under a collaborative approach that engages officials from across relevant departments and the private sector, wherever appropriate.

The broad and informal engagements by creating working groups on specific areas of mutual interest are aimed at fresh ideas for new, innovative, and productive approaches for economic partnership between both countries. They emphasized that new initiatives should also focus on encouraging, facilitating, and coordinating collaboration of technology and expertise for genuine mutual benefit and that the opportunities in each other's markets, which are of interest to businesses of both the countries should be explored.

Furthermore, the Ministers exchanged views on global trade dynamics and reaffirmed their support for a rules-based, transparent, and inclusive multilateral trading system. They also briefly discussed issues related to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC) and assured each other of cooperation and mutual understanding for a positive approach to decide on the long-standing issue of Public Stock Holding (PSH) during MC13.

Both Ministers expressed optimism about the potential for deeper cooperation and reiterated their commitment to continuing constructive dialogue to further strengthen the bilateral relationship. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely towards expanding the economic partnership for the benefit of both countries.

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