By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 21 November: The Victorian Premier Hon.Daniel Andrews today announced the state is developing it’s ‘India Strategy’ to enhance business and trade relations at the Investment Centre Victoria. Addressing a large gathering of business people, community leaders, and the media, the Victorian Premier said, “much has to be learned from both sides of the partnership.”
The Premier detailed the challenges and opportunities to secure mutual benefits for both Victoria and India. He felt proud that 200,000 Indians have made Victoria their home and expressed his happiness over the success of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne supported by the Victorian government.
On a question by SAT on the lack of a free trade agreement between Australia and India impacting business, Daniel Andrews said,” We have a clear strategy on India and we will update any development related to free trade issue in our strategy”
“The hard you work, the better you do,” he said.
“Meaningful engagement, use of personal relationships and creating long-term connections were key to the state’s proposed India strategy”, he said. The Premier will lead a big trade mission to India in January next year.
In his speech, Multicultural Minister Robin Scott said, ” The consolidation of Indian culture in Victoria is critical to its relationship with India.”
Outgoing Indian Consul General in Melbourne Manika Jain intervening during the Q-A session described her experiences here.
