More than 50 delegates will leave for India today, to visit the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Bengaluru, and further develop trade and investment opportunities for South Australia.
India is South Australia’s fourth largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at AUD$1.12 billion in 2016. Latest trade figures show that in the 12 months to September 2017, the value of South Australia’s overseas goods exports totalled $11.9 billion. This was up 8.9% ($972 million) on the previous twelve months.
Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith will lead the mission accompanied by Multicultural Affairs Minister Zoe Bettison, His Excellency, the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC Governor of South Australia, South Australian Government’s Strategic Water Adviser Karlene Maywald and South Australia’s Strategic Advisor to India, Brian Hayes.
South Australia’s relationship with India will be further strengthened through the key trade sectors including higher education and skills training, premium food, wine and beverages, defence and advanced manufacturing, health, water and environment management and culture, tourism and arts.
Background
South Australian export markets that experienced growth in the year to September 2017 compared with the year to September 2016 included India, $334 million or 55 per cent. Our major export goods to India include: copper ($394.8m / 41.0%); wheat and meslin ($245.2m / 25.5%); peas and lentils ($142.7m / 14.8%); lead ($113.4m / 11.8%); aluminium waste and scrap ($8.1m / 0.8%).
The South Australia – India Engagement Strategy is a 10-year plan to grow strategic partnerships with India through investment, trade and business, education, sport, culture, the arts and sciences, and exchanging people, skills and ideas.
Quotes attributable to Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith
Our trade results show the value of our calendar of trade and business missions. The SA Government has a strong connection and long-standing cultural and commercial relationship with India. Our aim is to further enhance and deepen our economic ties with India, creating further partnerships that will create commercial opportunities, leading to job creation and growth of both regions’ economies.
Since the engagement strategy was implemented and further updated last year to reflect developments and changing circumstances in India and South Australia, we have seen real benefits between our countries and a steadfast commitment to advancing our engagement, not only in business, but also in arts, culture and developing new friendships, including our sister-state agreement with the State of Rajasthan that was signed in November 2015.
We want India to be a part of South Australia’s future growth, and we want to be a part of India’s. Engaging with India will create further opportunities to access new markets and enable South Australian businesses to remain globally competitive.