INZBC and NZIRI co-hosts public lectures focussing on TPP

India New Zealand Business Council and The New Zealand India Research Institute co-hosted public lectures at Victoria University of Wellington on 21st April, 2016. These public lectures focused on Trans-Pacific Partnership and its impacts for both New Zealand and India.

The first of these lectures was given by Dr Amitendu Palit from the National University of Singapore who was specially flown in to share his knowledge in the forum. The topic was ‘India, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) and TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership): Navigating a Complex Landscape’.

In this lecture Dr Palit described India’s trade policies in recent years to show that the “energy and robustness of India’s foreign policy has not been reflected in her trade policy”. India has been showing ambivalence with regards to APEC and more recently TPP. The TPP will certainly affect India’s export market. The RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) in which a number of TPP countries are participation, could be an “answer” for India’s problems. But “early conclusion of RCEP”, he pointed out, is “difficult”.

Dr Palit is an economist specialising in international trade policies who has worked with the Indian Government for several years in the Ministry of Finance. He is a senior research fellow and research lead at the Institute of South Asian Studies at National University of Singapore.

The second lecture was given by Mark Hargreaves and Michael Brown, partners at Wellington law firm AJ Park. The topic was ‘TPP in the New Zealand and Indian Contexts’.

Their lecture discussed the possible impact of the TPP on New Zealand’s intellectual property laws. They also gave detailed analysis of the intellectual property laws in India and suggested strategies for New Zealand exporters to protect and exploit their intellectual property and technology in the Indian market.

Event witnessed great participation from distinguished audience. The chosen theme of the lecture touched upon different issues like India’s bid for membership of APEC, India’s engagement in FTAs, Impact of TPP on New Zealand’s IP laws, New Zealand’s trading relationship with India, India’s trade policy in the context of the TPP, and the impact of TPP on India.

“It was a very insightful evening highlighting, in particular the impact of the TPP on trade relations in India and the relevant information pertaining to IP in India. Events like this provide a subsequent networking opportunity to meet new people from various business fraternities and establish new networks. I look forward to attending the next event” said Jeff Groenewald, General Manager, Jani-King (NZ) Ltd.

Together the two lectures gave insights into India’s trade policies and the Indian Government’s position vis-à-vis APEC and TPP, and the latter’s impact on the protection of intellectual property. These public lectures were the part of ongoing series by INZBC – India Unplugged. The series is specifically designed to equip kiwi businesses with knowledge to work better with Indian market.

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