Senior Trade Commissioner Speak
Welcome from Senior Trade Commissioner - South Asia
Australia and India enjoy a strong and productive partnership with the scope of
Australia’s bilateral relationship having increased rapidly with India’s
economic growth. Within this trade and investment is a key component.
Australia is India's ninth largest source of imports. Over the past five years
India has been the fastest growing market for Australian exports. Two-way trade
in goods and services was over AUD$18.3 billion in 2008, with Australia’s
exports to India surpassing AUD$ 16 billion.
Investments have been growing rapidly with Australia represented through an increasing
Australian company presence on the ground in India, and with increasing investment
by Indian companies in Australia, in particular in the resources, IT and hospitality
sectors.
The opportunities are diverse across multiple industry sectors including long established
resource and commodity sectors, as well as relatively recent interest and activity
within the services sectors. In 2009, Australia welcomed 124,800 tourists
from India and there are presently more than 120,000 Indian students enrolled in
Australian educational institutions.
Australia and India have been working to develop a bilateral free trade agreement
focusing on areas of complementarities and working to find balance in areas to be
further developed. A feasibility study has been completed for the Free Trade Agreement.
Going forward Australia is well positioned to complement India’s strong economic
growth.
The Australian Trade Commission provides significant support in the Australia –
India business relationship. Driving commercial relationships to higher levels,
Austrade has a focused sector specific strategy that delivers introduction and solutions
for Indian businesses in the areas of resources, mining & energy; infrastructure;
building & construction; food & beverage; agri-business; ICT; film, media
& entertainment; consumer, fashion & lifestyle; financial services; clean
energy and environment.
This is underpinned through the Utsav Australia (Celebrate Australia) – program,
branding and website managed by the Australian Trade Commission- a sustained marketing
and promotions program to raise awareness of Australian business and industry among
the Indian business community. I invite businesses to get involved with Utsav Australia
where we commit to benefit both Australian and Indian companies.
The Australia - India future for businesses looks bright.
Peter Linford
Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner - South Asia
Minister Commercial
Australian High Commission
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