Australian Business Delegation to visit India
Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, will lead a major mission to India this month focused on deepening collaboration between the two nations in the fields of agribusiness and food, higher education and research, smart cities and infrastructure, innovation and resources and mining technology and services.
The second Australia Business Week in India (ABWI) arranged by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission will also attract business leaders and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Keith Pitt, the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Luke Hartsuyker, and the Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews.
More than 50 business events and activities such as seminars, roundtables and site visits with Indian businesses, industry and government will take place across six cities: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Leonie Muldoon, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner – South Asia at the Australian Trade & Investment Commission, says Australia Business Week in India is a significant platform which can be leveraged by Australian businesses to take a closer look at what India has to offer and to engage with potential partners and customers in specific areas of mutual business opportunity.
“The sheer size and breadth of the delegation across multiple industry sectors makes it an important step in Australia’s ongoing efforts to further enhance the trade, investment and education relationship with India,” says Leonie Muldoon.
ABWI 2017 builds on the success of the inaugural event in 2015, which created lasting relationships and generated business worth millions of dollars.
India is Australia’s 9th largest partner with two-way trade and services of A$20.7 billion and its fifth largest export market, with total exports of A$11.1 billion. Total Indian investment in Australia is near A$13.5 billion (up from A$600 million in 2006), while total Australian investment in India is over A$ 10.3 billion.
"Australia has strong capabilities which can help India better utilise its natural resources, increase food and energy security, and cater to the aspirations of its demography and increasingly affluent population,” says Leonie Muldoon. “India is looking for ways to address its growth challenges, and improve its innovation output. Australia’s smart infrastructure capabilities, world-class services sector & education system and strong innovation credentials can support India’s economic growth.”
