Prime Minister John Key has touched down in India with the hope of gaining momentum on the Free Trade negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Advancing the trade talks between the two countries was top priority for the visit, an opportunity Mr Key does not want to let slip. “As we stand here today we’re doing $2.5 billion worth of business in India and we do $20 billion with China, you get a sense for a country with the same demographics, you get an idea of what the opportunities are.”
Key said he sees great potential for Māori to cash in as well. “[One] of our really core areas...is food and beverage - which is absolutely true for the Māori economy, [Māori] are involved very heavily in the primary industries. Those are areas that are not that well represented in India so you can see the potential“.
Federation of Māori Authorities, CEO Traci Houpapa is a part of the Prime Ministers delegation and she also sees great opportunities for Māori in India. “The conversations being led by our PM with India will prove over time great value in the market for Māori and New Zealand. The figures show around $1-2 trillion dollars of unmet market need.”
The Prime Ministers trip to India is now a day behind when the airforce Key his delegation were travelling on broke down, leading to an overnight stay in Townsville, Australia.
The Prime Minister flies out of New Delhi on Thursday night, India time.
