5 July 2011

BOOSTING TRADE WITH INDIA

On Friday I got back from a five-day visit to India.

In New Delhi I met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to build stronger ties between our two countries.

Two-way trade between our countries is already worth more than $1 billion a year and we want to boost that further. Finalising a Free Trade Agreement with India was always going to be a complex process. But being on the ground has made me more confident than ever that we're making good progress towards the conclusion of the deal, scheduled for early next year.

I also visited Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, to play a bit of cricket with Stephen Fleming and announce some new sports scholarships. And I enjoyed a quick visit to the impressive Taj Mahal with my wife Bronagh.

In Mumbai I went to Film City where the Bollywood movie Players is being filmed. It's one of many Bollywood films which have been partly produced in New Zealand. Prime Minister Singh and I signed an agreement that makes film co-production easier. As Tourism Minister I appreciate the immense value of having New Zealand scenery on show in films with such a huge audience.

I also got the chance to pay my respects to victims of the 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.

Check out photos of my trip here.

UNCLOGGING THE GROWTH ARTERIES

Yesterday I launched the second National Infrastructure Plan with Bill English and Steven Joyce.

Since we came into government, we've been working hard to improve this country's productive infrastructure because we know it's a driver of economic growth.

The plan shows the Government will spend more than $17 billion over four years on assets such as schools, hospitals, state houses, prisons, roads, broadband, and rail. This will help support jobs and build the foundations for economic growth.

Click here to read the National Infrastructure Plan.

BETTER BROADBAND

Last week the roll out of fast broadband to our rural communities got underway. On Thursday the first three rural schools connected to ultra-fast fibre - Henderson Valley School in West Auckland, Te Kura o Omaio in the Bay of Plenty, and Granity School on the South Island's West Coast.

Broadband is a key part of National's plan to build a stronger economy, lift wages, and provide the world-class health and education services families need.

Our $300 million Rural Broadband Initiative will bring fast broadband to rural schools, businesses, and households. This is complemented by our $1.5 billion urban ultra-fast broadband initiative, which will deliver broadband speeds of 100 Megabits per second to 75 per cent of Kiwis where they live, work, and study by 2019.

FROM MY DIARY

Yesterday I announced the re-appointment of my Chief Science Adviser Sir Peter Gluckman for another two years.

Tonight I'm attending a state dinner for His Majesty King Tupou V of Tonga. On Thursday I'll be in Hamilton for the day, and in the evening I'll be speaking at a public meeting hosted by the Waikato Times.

Best wishes,

John Key
Prime Minister

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ENDS

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