Truss opens Australian Consulate-General in Chennai

Australia’s deepening economic partnership with India was further strengthened today, when the Minister for Trade, Warren Truss, opened a new office for the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai.

Mr Truss said the establishment of a Consul-General in Chennai is a symbol of Australia’s growing commercial engagement with this part of the sub-continent.

“In 2006, India became Australia’s eleventh-largest merchandise trading partner

and is our sixth-largest merchandise export market with total exports exceeding

$8.8 billion,” Mr Truss said.

“India has grown faster than any of our top 30 export markets over the past five years - at an average rate of almost 33 per cent. This clearly demonstrates the momentum building up in our trading relationship,” he said.

Prime Minister John Howard’s visit to India last March resulted in the signing of a Trade and Economic Framework with the Indian Government. The Framework will create structure for both governments to promote economic development.

Last May, the Deputy Prime Minister and the former Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, announced a $6.5 million budget package to enhance Australia’s commercial engagement with India.

Mr Truss said this new dynamism in bilateral relations has an increasingly practical side to it.

“We’ve identified a number of key sectors for development. South India is hub to India’s globally-recognised ICT industry. Other growth areas include infrastructure; services; biotechnology; food and beverage and entertainment,” Mr Truss said.

Consul-General and Austrade’s Trade Commissioner to Chennai, Aminur Rahman said Australian products and services already enjoy a strong reputation in southern India.

Mr Rahman said Australian food and beverage products already line the shelves of supermarkets in Chennai and Bangalore. Australian universities are also enjoying increased interest from Indian students. Although the United States remains the number one destination for Indian students, Australian universities are now preferred over European higher education institutions.

“With the Indian economy growing at more than nine per cent and the southern states experiencing similar or even higher growth rates, Australian companies are well placed to take advantage of the tremendous trade and investment opportunities here,” Mr Rahman said.

Mr Truss said the establishment of a Consulate-General in South India reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring access to Australians visiting or living in this region.

“The consular services will help facilitate new opportunities emerging from this region and deepen Australia’s commercial and cultural links,” Mr Truss said.

The Australian Government has had a presence in Chennai since 1995. The Consulate-General will enhance the delivery of services to South India from Australian Government agencies including Austrade.

The Australian Government is also represented by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and a Consulate-General in Mumbai.

Media Inquiries: Minister Truss' office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555