Boosting opportunities for Australian businesses in India

Over 100 Australian businesses are on their way to India as part of Australia’s
ongoing push to strengthen economic and investment ties with one of the fastest
growing economies in the world.
Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said
the aim of the mission was to help open new doors for Australian businesses
with a focus on education, tourism, health, resources, infrastructure and
premium products – food, wine and beauty.
“We want to make sure Australian businesses are front and centre as India’s
economy grows over the next 20 years,” Minister Birmingham said.
“India’s economy is rapidly transforming, predicted to be the third largest in the
world by 2035, and this presents huge opportunities for Australian businesses
across a range of export sectors.
“India’s aspirational middle class – already 12 times the size of Australia’s
population – is also growing rapidly, and now is the time to position Australian
businesses so they can develop long-term relationships with Indian businesses,
supply chains and investment partners.
“Australia’s premium produce, our high-quality education and tourism services
and our innovative infrastructure, energy and agribusiness solutions are wellplaced to meet India’s needs into the future.
“This will be an important opportunity for Australian businesses looking to
pursue greater export and investment opportunities to better understand how to
do business in India and to form relationships with Indian industry and
government leaders.
“It’s this type of engagement, experience and knowledge that will be absolutely
crucial if Australia is to realise our India Economic Strategy goal of making India
one of our top three exporting markets by 2035.
“Getting the message out there that Australia is open for business and that our
tourism businesses want Indian tourists to visit will also be a major focus.
“India is one of our fastest growing tourism markets and with the Women’s T20
Cricket World Cup on right now and the men’s tournament on later this year
this, we will be encouraging Indian cricket fans to book a ticket, watch a few
games, and also get out into our regions to explore the incredible tourism
experiences on offer.”
Minister Birmingham will also hold bilateral meetings with key ministerial
counterparts during the trip, including with India’s Commerce Minister for the
16th Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting.
Australian businesses from priority sectors of education, tourism, energy and
resources, and food and agribusiness will travel to New Delhi, Mumbai and
Bengaluru as part of the delegation between 24 and 27 February. The visit is
part of Austrade’s Australia-India Business Exchange (AIB-X), a multi-month
program of events to deepen trade, investment and tourism engagement
between the two countries.
India is Australia’s eighth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market,
with two-way goods and services trade valued at A$30.3 billion (INR 1.44
trillion) in 2018-19.