Trade Minister visit to boost Australia–India links
Media release
2 May 2010
Australia’s Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, will visit India from 2-8 May to take the Australia-India trade relationship to a new level. The trip has been planned for some time.
Mr Crean will discuss the finalisation of the bilateral FTA Feasibility Study in meetings with his counterpart, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, in New Delhi.
India has a population of 1.2 billion, is the world’s largest democracy and is Australia’s fastest growing major trade relationship.
“This will be my third visit to India and comes at a crucial time with booming trade and investment between the two nations and an opportunity for even greater growth.”
“My visit will strengthen that partnership and lay the groundwork for continued growth in the trade and economic relationship.”
“The Government has put India in the front rank of our international partnerships.”
On Monday Mr Crean will meet with the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, to be briefed on preparations for the October 2010 event.
"The Games will be a great event for India and New Delhi and we look forward to Australia sending its largest Commonwealth Games team ever," he said.
“Part of discussions will be security arrangements for Australians representing Australia at the Games. We are pleased with cooperation so far and these talks will continue with the Games less than six months away.”
Mr Crean’s visit will include the capital New Delhi, the financial centre Mumbai and Hyderabad in India’s dynamic south.
In Delhi, Mr Crean will discuss the FTA feasibility study and meet Indian Ministers from a variety of portfolios to push forward the broad bilateral agenda. Along with his counterpart Mr Sharma, Mr Crean will address the Confederation of Indian Industry and meet delegates from the Joint Business Council.
He will host a function in honour of the Advance Emerging Leaders India Summit, which is being held in Delhi on 4 May.
In Mumbai, Mr Crean will meet with the Reserve Bank of India and senior Indian CEOs. Mr Crean will also visit the Yash Raj Film studio to showcase the growing Australia-India film relationship. There are a number of Bollywood films being shot in Australia.
In Hyderabad, Mr Crean will meet with industry leaders to progress Australia’s presence in the dynamic south of India. I have announced the Government’s expansion plans for Austrade to establish five new offices across India, taking to eleven the number of trade offices in India.
Mr Crean’s visit to India is his first since Prime Ministers Rudd and Singh agreed on a Strategic Partnership between Australia and India in November 2009.
Two-way trade was up 55 per cent in 2008-09, notwithstanding the global economic crisis, and has grown at 25 per cent a year for the past four years.
Twelve Indian Ministers have visited Australia since 2008. This will be the twelfth visit by an Australian Federal Government Minister in the same timeframe, as well as the visit of the Prime Minister.”
“The complementarities between our economies point towards a closer trade and economic partnership. Australia is a key supplier of resources and energy for India’s future growth. But there remains untapped potential in services, agriculture, manufactures and renewable and clean energy technology,” Mr Crean said.
India is now Australia’s fourth largest export market – up from sixth in 2006-07 and thirteenth in 1998-99.
Media inquiries
- Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555