Rudy discusses steps to boost trade ties with New Zealand PM

Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy today met New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key on a visit to the island country and discussed prospects of strengthening trade ties between the nations through finalising of an FTA.
Both the leaders also discussed ways to deepen engagement in the field of IT and computer sciences.
Key evinced keen interest interest in meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to India during the first quarter of 2016, which is still to be firmed up, a statement by the Indian High Commission in Wellington (New Zealand) said.
"The prospects of strengthening ongoing trade ties through finalising of an FTA (Free Trade Agreement) were also referred to by Key during the discussions.

"Key also spoke about deepening of engagement in the IT and computer sciences sector and the significant role which the Indian economy is expected to play in the world in the coming years," it added.
During the meeting, Rudy emphasised upon the several initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, etc being currently undertaken under Modi for developing India as an internationally competitive manufacturing centre in India.

The Minister also referred to the efforts being made to give further momentum to India's economic development processes through reforms such as the GST.
Efforts to skill different sections of India's workforce were also referred to, the statement said.

A multi-party Parliamentary delegation headed by Rudy, who is the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, is visiting New Zealand from May 31-June 4.
Besides strengthening ties between the Parliaments of both the countries, the delegation is also using the opportunity to gain insights about the facilities in New Zealand for vocational training and skill development and prospects of strengthening India-NZ economic and commercial ties.