“Winning Business & Investment with Australia” Seminar held in Ahmedabad focuses on potential for Australian partnership with businesses in Gujarat
The Australian Trade Commission, the Australian trade and investment development agency of the Australian federal government presented business & investment opportunities with Australia for businesses based in Gujarat at the seminar on "Winning Business & Investment with Australia" held in Ahmedabad on Monday, May 17, 2010.
Organised by the Australian Trade Commission in partnership with Gujarat NRE Coke and supported by Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong; New South Wales Government and the Confederation of Indian Industry [CII], the seminar is the part of the Australian Trade Commission’s Utsav Australia (Celebrate Australia) programme – an Australian Government initiative to accelerate Australia’s commercial engagement with India and raise awareness of Australian industry capability amongst the Indian business community.
The seminar showcased the potential business & investment opportunities with Australia in sourcing Australian technology, products and services; investing in Australia and potential joint venture partnership and investments. The seminar specifically highlighted Australian expertise in food & beverage; hospitality; infrastructure, building & construction; clean energy, mining & resources; agribusiness & education and the value-add of Australian companies to businesses in Gujarat.
Gujarat NRE participated in the seminar as the sponsorship partner and presented their business story and updates on their company’s business operations and development plans.
Speaking at the seminar, Peter Forby, Australian Consul General for Western India and Trade Commissioner said “Gujarat is a very significant business destination for Australian companies. Australia can provide value-added competitive solutions and expertise both in traditional and emerging sectors for businesses in Gujarat. Sectors of potential Australian involvement in Gujarat include food & beverage; hospitality; infrastructure, building & construction; clean energy, mining & resources; agribusiness & education. The Australian Trade Commission also welcomes businesses and entrepreneurs from Gujarat to invest in Australia”
According to Mr Arun Kumar Jagatramka, Past Chairman, CII Gujarat Council, “The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is happy to partner with the Australian Trade Commission to organise this Seminar. CII looks forward to working closely with Australia in realising the potential that exists for two way trade and investments and strategic partnerships for the benefit of both. This seminar is a very important step to further accelerate trade and investments between India and Australia”.
Speaking at the Seminar, Mr Arun Kumar Jagatramka, Chairman, Gujarat NRE Coke said, “Our plan to expand the met coke production capacity in India to 4 million tons per annum (MTPA) from the current level of 1.25 MTPA as well as commensurate increase in production of coking coal from our Australian mines to 6 MTPA from current levels of 1.2 MTPA is progressing as per expectation. The company is well poised to take the advantage of growing demand-supply gap of coking coal and met coke in India as well as in global market”
“We are proud that among the Indian companies in Australia we are the largest petroleum exploration block owner in the highly prospective Canning Basin (of Western Australia). Gujarat NRE Mineral resources Ltd (GNMRL) encompasses all the three sectors critical of India’s energy security and is focused on coal mining, met coke and oil & gas – in true quest for energy”, said Mr Jagatramka.
Gujarat NRE is the only Indian company with coking coal mines in Australia having more than 560 million tons of Metallurgical Coal resource with excellent coking properties. The coal mines are owned through its subsidiaries – Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited, listed in Australian stock exchange ASX. Besides ownership of these coal mines, the company has invested in resource prospecting companies that are scouting for coal, gold, iron-ore and various other base metals. The group is also the largest petroleum exploration block owner amongst the Indian companies in Australia.
Business & Investment opportunities in New South Wales
The Seminar also showcased specific business & investment opportunities in the state of New South Wales, including in the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.
New South Wales
The New South Wales (NSW) economy is the largest and most diverse economy in Australia, contributing about one third of the nation''s gross domestic product (GDP). The capital of NSW, Sydney, is the business hub of Australia and a leading financial centre in the Asia Pacific.
India is one of the most important and fastest growing business partners of NSW. In 2008-09, bilateral merchandise trade between India and NSW was worth A$ 2.13 billion, an increase of 80 per cent on 2007-08. The NSW Government has recently established a business office in Mumbai. The office can provide Indian companies with information about investment and partnership opportunities in ICT, financial services, mineral resources, life sciences, building and construction, education and other sectors. Many Indian companies already have already chosen to set up a presence in NSW. These include the State Bank of India, the Union Bank of India and the Bank of Baroda, plus Indian ICT companies such as Wipro Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL and Mahindra Satyam. Gujarat NRE Coking Coke and Riverina Oil and BioEnergy have also made substantial investments in NSW.
The NSW Government invites Indian companies to consider the benefits of establishing or expanding an operation in NSW as the next step in the growth of their business.
The Innovation Campus
The Innovation Campus (iC) is a unique endeavour led by the University of Wollongong which has developed a unique technology and research precinct that is driven by results, nurtured by a community that embraces industry and powered by a team committed to innovation. The iC invites Indian businesses to set up their Australian offices & facilities on the campus where it offers a steady source of well trained graduates and research and development partnerships, all within a modern campus environment which is only one hour south of Sydney. UOW research institutes work in fields such as advanced IT, nanotechnology, intelligent materials and super-conductivity. Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist is the official brand ambassador of the Innovation Campus
Doing Business with Australia
Australian technology, expertise and solutions is on offer for Indian businesses in the areas of roads, ports, airports and railways; power sector; mining; oil & natural gas including LNG; biotechnology; health & medical; machinery, manufacturing & nanotechnology; green building; clean energy & environment; urban infrastructure; automotive; aerospace & aviation; security & defence; drugs and pharmaceuticals; information technology; marine; water management, soil conservation & waste disposal; food processing & agribusiness; packaged food products; wine; fashion & franchising; film & television; processing of gems & jewellery; financial services, professional & business services (legal & HR services), education & training, hospitality, franchising, sports services; tourism and education.
Australia can be the ideal investment destination for Indian organisations seeking international expansion to, secure access to natural resources (coal, gas and mineral deposits) and create assets (technologies, brand names and distribution networks). Australia is amongst the most significant investment destination for India. In 2009-10, the Australian Trade Commission facilitated more than A$ 700 million investments from Indian into Australia in the tourism, hospitality, mining, aviation, ICT and education sectors.
The Australian Trade Commission will assist Indian corporations to source products, technology, services and solutions from Australia; identify potential Australian business partners and explore investment opportunities in Australia. The Australian Trade Commission has appointed a dedicated staff in Ahmedabad and has commenced duties. Mr Jinendra Khara, Business Development Manager, Australian Trade Commission, based in Ahmedabad will be responsible for facilitating trade & investment between Australia and Gujarat.
For more information on accessing Australian expertise and locating Australian partners, please contact Mr Jinendra Khara at +919687606687; email to jinendra.khara@austrade.gov.au; utsavaustralia@austrade.gov.au or visit www.utsavaustralia.in
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