Ahmedabad: Bilateral trade between India and New Zealand doubled in five years, growing from NZ $620 million in 2007 to NZ $1.1 billion in 2012. Speaking at the second India-New Zealand Business Forum at a city club, Jan Henderson, New Zealand high commissioner to India said, "In 2013, the trade is expected to be NZ $1.2 billion, a slight increase due to economic slowdown in the market. We expect the trade to double by 2020".
The two-thirds of the contribution are made by New Zealand in the bilateral trade which exports majorly commodities, coal, oil and wood to India. In reverse, India exports gems, jewellery, spices, tea and horticulture products. "We are in negotiations with the central government for free trade agreement between the two countries", added Henderson. In 2012, numbers of skilled migrants from India to New Zealand were second highest, behind China.
New Zealand based universities are in talks with National Dairy Development Board to provide technical assistance for increasing dairy production and develop agri-business in India.
In recent years, New Zealand has emerged as one of the most favorable destinations for education for Indian students. "Last year 11,349 Indian students took admissions in New Zealand's educational institutions contributing NZ $250 million to the economy. The numbers are expected to increase by 5-7 percent this year", said Ziena Jalil, regional director for south Asia, Education New Zealand.
More than 1,00,000 Indians reside in New Zealand and according to the latest census Hindi is the fourth most widely spoken language in New Zealand. Last year 30,000 Indian tourists visited New Zealand consisting mostly of the honeymoon couples.
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