By Rajeev Sharma & Neeraj Nanda
New Delhi & Melbourne: The Premier of Victoria Mr. Ted Baillieu is leading the state’s largest-ever trade mission to India this week with more than 220 Victorian companies to boost Victoria’s two-way trade and investment partnership with Indian businesses and the Indian community.
Mr Baillieu said this trade mission would focus on Victoria’s strengths to generate more jobs for Victorians and substantial new export opportunities and investment for Victorian businesses.
“The program will also build on the strengths of the growing Indian community based in Victoria to further broaden cultural ties through tourism, film, education, sport and other linkages,” Mr Baillieu said.
“India’s rapid economic expansion – which saw its GDP grow by 8.5 per cent in 2010-11 – offers significant opportunities to grow Victoria’s trade and investment partnerships with India.
“Victoria is not waiting, but doing everything in its power to capitalise on new opportunities in high growth markets, particularly India and China. There is extraordinary growth occurring and Victoria is moving quickly.
The trade mission will include ten major sectors of the Victorian economy including automotive, aviation and aerospace, cleantech, education, food and beverage, ICT, life sciences, professional services, sustainable urban design and tourism.
Senior economic ministers will also attend the trade mission including Minister for Innovation, Services & Small Business and Tourism & Major Events, Louise Asher, Minister for Manufacturing, Exports & Trade, Richard Dalla-Riva, and Minister for Technology and for the Aviation Industry, Gordon Rich-Phillips.
“More than 300 company and institutional leaders will be a part of this trade mission,” Mr Baillieu said.
A media release from the Premier says, “This mission will build on the successful trade mission to India involving 60 companies that was led in April this year by Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher. That trade mission is estimated to have generated more than $63 million in new exports, $19 million in capital investment and more than 500 jobs in Victoria.”
The Super Trade Mission will engage with businesses in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune from 21 to 26 February.
