Hon David Carter
Minister for Primary Industries
19 November 2012
Minister to visit India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
Further strengthening a primary industries relationship and boosting trade is the focus of a visit to India by Primary
Industries Minister David Carter.
“India is a rapidly rising player in the Asia-Pacific region and New Zealand is keen to develop stronger economic and
agricultural ties,” Mr Carter says.
The Minister will also travel to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
In India, Mr Carter will hold discussions with the Agriculture and Trade Ministers and hold a series of primary industry
meetings. He will also be joined by leading representatives of New Zealand’s dairy, meat, horticulture and agri-tech
sectors.
“These meetings further strengthen the New Zealand-India bilateral relationship and give our two countries the
opportunity to canvass a range of primary industries issues,” says Mr Carter.
“India is one of our top trade negotiating priorities. A successful Free Trade Agreement will help expand businesses and
create jobs.”
During the Minister’s visit to Indonesia, he will open the inaugural Joint Working Group on Agriculture in Jakarta and
hold a series of trade and agriculture meetings.
“Indonesia is our 10th-largest export market, but there is a lot of room to expand this trade and to further develop the
relationship between our two countries.”
Trade and agricultural opportunities will also be top of the agenda during Mr Carter’s visit to Sri Lanka.
The Minister leaves tomorrow.
ENDS