New Zealand Delegation Pays a Courtesy Visit to Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel

New Zealand Delegation Aims to Strengthen Collaboration with Gujarat in Agriculture, Dairy, Renewable Energy, Culture and Tourism Sectors

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India-New Zealand relations have thrived, and Gujarat is committed to strengthening this partnership

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel conveys a willingness to initiate a Farmer Exchange Program with New Zealand

Gandhinagar, 14 August 2024: A nine-member delegation from New Zealand paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. The delegation, led by New Zealand’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Commerce Mr. Todd McClay, and High Commissioner to India Mr. Patrick Rata, met with the Chief Minister to discuss strengthening strategic partnerships with Gujarat.

During the meeting, the Delegation explored opportunities for deepening cultural and strategic partnerships between New Zealand and Gujarat, focusing on agriculture, the dairy industry, renewable energy, tourism, and cooperation. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel extended a warm welcome to the delegation and noted that India-New Zealand relations have flourished under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and Gujarat will continue to advance these bilateral ties.

The Chief Minister shared his vision to double farmers’ incomes in Gujarat through cow-based farming. The CM also suggested the initiation of farmer exchange programs to enhance agricultural and dairy sector cooperation between Gujarat and New Zealand. Given New Zealand’s expertise in dairy technology, the Chief Minister discussed potential collaborations in agriculture, dairy industry, animal husbandry, and cooperative sectors to leverage this technology for Gujarat’s dairy development. The Chief Minister also urged conducting periodic meetings and workshops aimed at cultivating new ideas among women in rural areas. The Chief Minister emphasized Gujarat’s leadership in milk production and its advancements in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electric vehicle manufacturing. The CM conveyed a keen interest in fostering collaboration with New Zealand in these areas. The Chief Minister noted the presence of the hardworking Gujarati community in New Zealand and highlighted the importance of establishing a framework for regular meetings to enhance cultural relations between the two countries. The Chief Minister drew attention to Gujarat’s key tourist attractions, inviting visitors from New Zealand to explore prominent landmarks such as the iconic Statue of Unity, the White Rann of Kutch (Rann Utsav), and The Forest of Gir. 

New Zealand Minister Mr. Todd McClay expressed a keen interest in leading a delegation to Gujarat to enhance bilateral relations in the dairy and cooperative sectors. Mr. McClay proposed a potential collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), highlighting how value-added initiatives in animal health facilities could significantly increase milk production. The Minister also identified promising areas for cooperation, including waste-to-bioenergy projects, and suggested establishing a veterinary exchange program to benefit the farming communities in both regions.

Present at this courtesy meeting were Additional Chief Secretary Shri M.K. Das, Principal Secretary of Industries Smt. Mamata Verma, Commissioner of Industries Shri Sandeep Sagale, and Managing Director of iNDEXTb Shri Gaurang Makwana.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat