NZ: Free-trade agreement with India on agenda
Radio New Zealand | 26 Oct 2007
Free-trade agreement with India on agenda
New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff will be pushing forward with a proposal for a study into a free-trade agreement with India when he meets representatives of the Indian business community on Friday.
Mr Goff says India is potentially a huge market for New Zealand and is becoming even more significant with growth of between 8% and 9% every year.
New Zealand exports to India grew from less than $NZ200 million in 2004 to $NZ337 million in the last calendar year. The main exports are coal, wool, wood pulp, machinery, hides and skins.
As corporate investment in Indian agriculture increases, Mr Goff says New Zealand can play a constructive part in that development, thorough strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
