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“Australia wants to invest US$ 100 million in Logistic Hub in West Bengal” – said, Ms. Rowan Ainsworth, Consul General of Australia in Kolkata
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry organised an Interactive Session on “India- Australia Economic & Cooperation Trade Agreement” today at the Chamber.
Ms. Sarah Storey, Deputy Head of the Mission, Australian High Commission, New Delhi and Ms. Rowan Ainsworth, Consul General of Australia in Kolkata addressed the Session.
Mr. Rishabh Kothari, President, MCCI lauded the effort put in by both countries to sign a landmark bilateral trade pact ‘Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)’.
“In the post Pandemic scenario, how you see the India-Australia trade relation shaping up after singing the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement” – said, Mr. Kothari. While speaking on Australian education system, Mr. Kothari enquired about their perspective on establishing a taskforce to develop qualifications, recognition arrangements for Australia and India to enhance two-way mobility of students between Australia and India.
Ms. Sarah Storey, Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission New Delhi in her address mentioned that the Australia India Comprehensive Strategic-Partnership continues to scale new heights. The Australian Government has announced over INR 1500 crore of new initiatives to build out ties between the two nations.
“The two countries are ready to build comprehensive strategic partnership to set out the vision for the priority sectors.”- said, Ms. Storey
The government of Australia is ready to support and commercialize non-renewable energy sector in India. In the cooperation between these two nations, Centre of Excellence on Critical & Emerging Technology Policy has been established in Bengaluru.
She also added that Australia wants to invest in Critical Minerals and both the Governments would like to form a partnership in Critical Minerals Research and Investment.
Ms. Rowan Ainsworth, Consul General of Australia in Kolkata in her address said that the Government of Australia has decided to lift India into Australia’s top 3 export markets by 2035 and to upgrade 3rd largest outward investment destination in Asia.
Ms. Ainsworth informed the house that Australia expanded post-study work rights for STEM and ICT Students.
While speaking on India-Australia business opportunities, Madam Ainsworth mentioned that after signing ECTA, Indian manufacturing sector can access Australian raw materials namely coal, alumina & Metallic ores including nickel and critical minerals including lithium and cobalt without any tariff barriers.
“The Bengal leaders have been re-changing their views to attract the businesses and industries and business is here in West Bengal if we are in the driver’s seat.”- said, Consul General, Australia to Kolkata. While speaking on business opportunities in West Bengal, She said that Bengal offers business friendly environment to the investors. Big industry players in Australia are looking forward to invest in West Bengal. Australia wants to build business cooperation with Bengal in the two emerging sectors namely Mining and Logistic sectors.
The session ended with a hearty Vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Sanjib Kothari, Chairman, Council on MSME.
