India, New Zealand to diversify trade through JBCs

Our Economic Bureau

New Delhi, Dec 6: India and New Zealand have agreed to diversify the tradeable baskets through joint business councils. This was indicated during a meeting between commerce and industry minister Murasoli Maran and New Zealand minister for IT, communications and commerce Paul Swain here on Thursday.

Mr Maran informed that the bilateral trade registered a 53 per cent growth in 00-01 compared to 1991-92. He requested his New Zealand counterpart to restore the ENZA programme, which was being implemented since 1997, for the development of the apple industry in Himachal Pradesh.

Both leaders discussed the outcome of the Doha ministerial conference in detail and also exchanged views on the Singapore issues.