State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook and International Education Minister David Templeman are leading the State’s largest ever business delegation on an Invest and Trade Western Australia mission to India starting today.
The business delegation is made up of more than 110 representatives from the following sectors:
- international education and skilled migration;
- mining and mining equipment, technology and services (METS);
- energy;
- innovation hubs and smart cities;
- primary industries; and
- tourism, events and creative industries.
Following an online expression of interest process, the McGowan Government selected 73 organisations to join the business delegation.
Business delegates will participate in a range of activities including government and corporate meetings and site visits, industry briefings and roundtable discussions, one-to-one business matching, and networking events with Indian government and industry representatives.
The mission will assist WA businesses in improving their Indian business and cultural literacy, expand their business connections into India, strengthen investment and trade opportunities across the six sectors, and leverage opportunities arising from the interim Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
Business delegates are covering their own travel expenses, including airfares, visas, insurance, accommodation, transfers, tours and meals.
From July 12 to 19, the delegation will travel to four cities over eight days – Delhi, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.
With its youthful population, diversified economy and strong growth trajectory, India presents significant investment and trade opportunities for WA industry sectors.
The mission will focus on strengthening government and industry connections, unlocking opportunities for WA businesses in the Indian market, and promoting the State as a destination for tourists, students, talent, events, business and investment.
Minister Cook said in a media release on the eve of the delegation’s departure, “The enthusiastic response from business to join the Invest and Trade WA mission reflects the potential growth opportunities India has to offer for a range of WA industry sectors.”
“Following the successful India Connect event in October last year, the WA Government is committed now more than ever to growing our strong relationship with India and fostering even closer cultural and economic ties.”, Minister Cook added.
“India is Western Australia’s largest market for international students, accounting for 20 per cent of enrolments in 2021.”, said WA’s International Education Minister Templeman, adding “It is estimated that India’s tertiary-age population is the largest in the world and projected to peak at 126 million by 2026.
More than 30 international education and skilled migration representatives from WA will be a part of the delegation, exploring how the state can attract more international students and skilled workers to our State. From the creative industries, Screenwest will join the mission to explore potential opportunities for WA to partner with the world’s largest film industry.
In 2021, India was WA’s seventh largest trading partner with total goods trade of AUD $4.6 billion. Last year, WA accounted for 17 per cent of total trade in goods between Australia and India.
