India FTA Unites NZ First, Greens
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
Patterson, currently in India to promote NZ premium strong wool, took to social media to respond to criticism from another coalition partner, ACT Party.
NZ First has been a vocal opponent of the free trade agreement signed between NZ and India.
Party leader Winston Peters has called it “a disgraceful sell-out of our country’s future” and “a free migration deal”.
The latter referred to a new temporary employment entry (TEE) visa negotiated under the agreement, which will allow eligible Indian citizens working in 13 skilled occupations to work in New Zealand for three years.
This morning, Patterson posted a photo with the Speaker of Indian Parliament, Om Birla on his Facebook page.
“I note some blatant politicking back home in regards this visit and New Zealand First position on the FTA,” says Patterson.
“It is well documented that it is not the trade element of the deal we are opposed to.
“Under the FTA, wool will benefit by having no tariffs down from 2.75% - useful but not a game changer.
“We have much higher ambition for lifting the value of wool to New Zealand farmers. Opening doors for our commercial sector is my role and today we made a strong start.”
The Indian Parliament has opted for NZ strong wool carpet.
Patterson says he was there to see NZ carpet on the Indian Parliament floor and there was no plan to meet Birla, the third ranking politician in the country.
“It was not planned and our delegation was there to see New Zealand’s most famous wool carpet.
“The Indian Parliament has a magnificent New Zealand strong wool carpet. Hand noted by some 900 highly skilled craftspeople. Absolutely exquisite.
“Speaker Birla found out we were there and generously offered to meet our delegation and show us himself.”
Patterson is also attending the Bharat Tex Textile Expo in New Delhi to promote NZ wool.
India is New Zealand’s second largest export market for wool.
India has an ambition of tripling the size of their textile industry and New Zealand Wool has a massive opportunity to help them, notes Patterson.
