India Unlocked Episode 4: Trade and Investment Opportunities in Uttar Pradesh
When the Auckland Business Chamber, Deloitte and the Consulate General of India in Auckland surveyed New Zealand businesses earlier this year, one finding stood out clearly: understanding India’s individual states remains one of the biggest barriers to doing business successfully.
That’s why we created India Unlocked—a state-by-state event series designed to help New Zealand businesses better understand where the opportunities are, what makes each state unique, and how to engage successfully. For the fourth episode of this series, we focus on Uttar Pradesh.
Uttar Pradesh is now India’s third-largest state economy, at roughly US$410 billion, anchored by a six-node defence manufacturing corridor, and by a new gateway: the Noida International Airport at Jewar, which opened this year. Add Kanpur’s leather trade and Noida’s electronics base, and it’s an economy diversifying faster than its reputation suggests.
Hear directly from a panel including India’s Consul General in Auckland and Auckland-based leaders with firsthand experience in Uttar Pradesh, on the state’s business environment, key industries and practical advice for New Zealand businesses looking to expand there.
Speakers
Gurdeep Talwar
President of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism & Business Advisory Board NZ
Born in Lucknow, educated in England, and a New Zealand resident for over 16 years, Gurdeep Talwar sits at the intersection of three worlds — and that’s exactly where he belongs.
As President of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism & Business Advisory Board NZ, Gurdeep helps New Zealand businesses navigate one of India’s most complex and opportunity-rich markets. His perspective is shaped by deep personal roots — his family has lived in Lucknow (Capital city of Uttar Pradesh state) for generations — combined with international commercial experience in import, export, and cross-border partnerships.
Gurdeep’s governance portfolio spans multiple boards and community organisations across New Zealand, including Crown appointments, with a focus on transparency, community safety, strategic growth, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. He is known for cutting through complexity and delivering practical, actionable advice — the kind that comes from having lived the journey himself.
For New Zealand businesses looking at Uttar Pradesh, Gurdeep offers something rare: the credibility of someone who understands both sides of the table, and the track record to prove it.
Anne Collins
India FTA Implementation Manager
TBC
