In a meeting held on Tuesday aimed at exploring opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation, the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and his New Zealand counterpart, Todd McClay, expressed the need to increase commitment between their countries under a collaborative approach that involves authorities from all relevant departments and private sectors.

During the meeting, McClay appreciated India’s efforts to solve the issue related to export of timber logs from New Zealand to India.

Both ministers highlighted the need to deepen commitment in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, pharmacy, connectivity, education and tourism. They also recognized strong progress in the relations between companies in the two countries and the convenience of guaranteeing that these satisfactory results promote government dialogue.

Goyal and McClay agreed on the importance of the annual meeting of the Joint Trade Committee, established under the India-New Zealand Trade Agreement of 1986, and regular high-level participation.

In this regard, they consented that both sides should meet periodically to hold bilateral discussions on trade and investment issues and cooperation activities. They also discussed aspects of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization and ways to strengthen their ties related to that forum.

jrr/llp/oda/lrd