By IANS,
Wellington : New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will lead a 25-member delegation to India this month to further develop the “already strong relationship” and boost bilateral trade, the New Zealand government said Monday.
The delegation will leave New Zealand June 26 and return July 1. It would visit New Delhi, Agra and Mumbai. Minister of Trade Tim Groser is one of the main members of the team, Xinhua reported citing an official statement.
Key would meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discuss, among others, the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement.
“India is a rapidly rising player in the Asia-Pacific region, and we want to build on our already strong economic, social and sporting ties. This visit demonstrates the value New Zealand places on the relationship,” Key said.
“Leading such a diverse and high-profile delegation to visit India’s largest cities is exciting, and will open many doors for New Zealand business,” he said.
“The trade potential of the Indian market is huge and we have set a target of growing two-way trade from 1.28 billion to three billion New Zealand dollars ($815 million to $2.44 billion) by 2014.”
New Zealand also wants “greater engagement” in a range of sectors, including science and innovation, Bollywood-New Zealand film co-production, defence, tourism and education, the statement added.