Indian businessman lauds 'clean green' NZ

One of India's top manufacturers is hoping a work trip to New Zealand will show staff how a clean, green environment could make a difference in their homeland.

The delegation of 250 senior staff and dealers will be led by Bajaj Electricals Ltd (BEL) chairman and managing director Shekhar Bajaj.

Mr Bajaj decided to bring his team to New Zealand after a private visit this year when he decided he wanted to share with his team the "pristine beauty" of the country.

"I have been to many countries and recently I was in Switzerland, which of course is beautiful, but still New Zealand is clearly the best."

He said far from the rest of the world, New Zealand was rich in good food and had only a small population.

"New Zealand can continue to have a good, clean life without having to worry about the ups and downs taking place in other competitive countries," Mr Bajaj said.

New Zealand's remoteness kept it from the fears of terrorism in other parts of the world, and made it a good place to visit, he said.

BEL worked in conjunction with Paryavaran Mitra (Friends of the Environment), a voluntary, non-government organisation which built awareness of environmental issues and initiating measures to protect the environment.

The organisation is run by Mr Bajaj's wife, Kiranj.

Mr Bajaj said the business was working with Paryavaran Mitra to promote ways to reduce pollution in India.

"With this visit to New Zealand our people will see for themselves how the environment is clean and green and they will try and make a difference in India."

BEL, which has an annual turn over of around $3 billion, has been in existence for more than 68 years .

Two groups of Bajaj staff and dealers will tour the country with the first group arriving in Auckland on September 14 and will visit Queenstown, Milford Sound and Mount Cook and Christchurch.

The second group will arrive on September 18 and visit Auckland, Rotorua and Waitomo.

- NZPA