BWI: State of Victoria, Australia Sends its Largest “Trade Mission” to India, as part of its Trade Engagement Program with India

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: State of Victoria
Thursday, April 07, 2011 12:00 PM IST (06:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Economy, Politics; Business: Business services, Education & training
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State of Victoria, Australia Sends its Largest "Trade Mission" to India, as part of its Trade Engagement Program with India


Bangalore, Karnataka, Mumbai, Maharashtra and New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, April 07, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- -- Delegation, led by the Hon Louise Asher, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Minister for Tourism and Major Events to see more than 60 Victorian organizations visit India

-- This is the largest ever trade delegation from Victoria, and we believe the largest ever from Australia to visit India

-- The Trade Engagement Program, with the first Trade Mission in April sees potential in India to achieve $60 million of additional exports in the next two years, beyond the existent $2 billion of current Victorian exports to India

The Victorian Government is reinforcing its ties with India by sending a delegation of more than 60 organizations, to be led by Hon. Louise Asher, Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Minister for Tourism and Major Events.

The Trade Mission, scheduled to visit India between 11th and 15th of April, is an initiative from the Trade Engagement Program - India to strengthen trade relationships. The Victorian Government is working with key partners including Austrade and industry associations such as Confederation of Indian Industry, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to deliver a comprehensive business program for Victorian companies.

The multi-sector trade mission to India will visit Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Pune to showcase Victorian business capability in key industry sectors including: automotive, cleantech, ICT, aviation, sustainable urban design and food and beverage. The State of Victoria is setting its focus on India and aims to achieve $60 million of additional exports in the next two years, beyond the existent $2 billion of current Victorian exports to India. The Trade Mission's visit in April will set the tone for larger trade missions, targeted missions and industry promotion.

The Minister, who is on her first official international visit under the Baillieu Government will arrive in Bangalore, where she will pay a visit to the Reva Electric Car Company to promote green technologies. Supporting her are nine Victorian automotive companies, which will showcase Victorian technologies for hybrid, electrical and light weight vehicles to OEM's and also demonstrate their capabilities in vehicle electrifications, gaseous fuels and light weighting.

The Minister will also participate in the cleantech industry capability forum in Bangalore, in collaboration with Austrade, industry associations such as Confederation of Indian Industry, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with eight Victorian companies to promote Victoria's expertise in waste and water management.

Minister Asher will visit Mumbai thereafter and participate in the Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure Forum, an aviation and sustainable urban design joint forum to promote Victoria's world-class capabilities. While in Mumbai, the Minister will also announce initiatives that connect with India's most popular entertainment platforms - Bollywood and cricket.

The Minister is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on 15th April where she will officially launch a website for the education fraternity in India.

The relationship between Victoria and India has strengthened over the past few years. This is reinforced with India becoming Australia's fastest growing export market, having grown at an average annual rate of 25 per cent since 2005.

Indians also favour Victoria and this is reflective in the 200,000 Indians living in Victoria. India makes up the second largest group of international students of about 40,000 Indian students, behind China. India is also one of Victoria's fastest growing inbound tourism markets generating more than 51,800 visitors in 2009/10.

About Victorian Government Business Office

The office, established in 2005 is based in Bangalore and promotes trade and investment in a number of key sectors including information and communication technology, tourism and associated direct air access, as well as the promotion of the international education services, financial services and life sciences. Other priorities include promoting Victoria's capabilities in infrastructure and construction, aviation and commercial aerospace, food (in particular dairy), sports and events and life sciences sectors.


CONTACT DETAILS
Ranjana Mukherjee, + 91 9886037962, ranjana.mukherjee@bm.com

KEYWORDS
ECONOMY, POLITICS, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION

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