Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand pays a courtesy visit to Gujarat CM

Gandhinagar : Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, along with his delegation, paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister  Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. The Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand has shown interest in collaborating with Gujarat across various sectors such as Agri-Business and Center of Excellence, Maritime Coordination, Food Security, Dairy Farming, Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen, and Tourism.

Chief Minister  Bhupendra Patel, while discussing potential educational collaboration between Gujarat and New Zealand emphasized the National Education Policy led by Prime Minister  Narendra Modi. The policy prioritizes skill development, employability, and higher education.

Chief Minister also advised that New Zealand companies consider leveraging the expanding digital ecosystem, particularly in fintech, at GIFT City. In the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit’s success, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has solidified Gujarat’s status as the Best Destination for Investment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to nurturing India’s relations with nations across the globe as a ‘Vishva Mitra’ (global friend). The CM emphasized that the vibrant summit signifies a milestone, as India, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, has risen to become the fifth-largest economic power globally and is determined to progress to the third position. The meeting also discussed establishing a Joint Cooperation Committee for ongoing consultation to strengthen cooperation between Gujarat and New Zealand.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister,  K. Kailashnathan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries Department, S.J. Haider, and senior officials participated in the meeting. As a souvenir, the Chief Minister presented a Kutchi Weave wall piece and a shawl to the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand.