Premier to lead largest-ever Australian trade mission to India in 2012

Victoria will set a new benchmark in its trade engagement with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies when Premier Ted Baillieu leads a Super Trade Mission to India in late February 2012.

Mr Baillieu said more than 100 world-class Victorian companies would take part in the Super Trade Mission, making it Australia’s largest-ever trade mission to India.

“The size and scope of this Super Trade Mission clearly demonstrates our commitment to grow Victoria’s already strong relationship with India,” Mr Baillieu said.

“Victorian businesses have strong capabilities in many sectors that India needs to support its future growth – including automotive, aviation, cleantech, education, food and beverage, ICT, life sciences, tourism and sustainable urban design.”

India is currently Australia’s fastest growing export market, having grown at an average annual rate of 25 per cent since 2005.

Education and tourism enhance the already existing trade ties between Victoria and India. In 2010, 46,000 Indian student enrolments took place paving way to Victoria being one of the most preferred ‘Study Destinations’ for Indian students. India is currently Victoria's seventh largest source of inbound tourism, having grown a significant 24.5% over the 12 months to June 2011. Additionally, leading Indian companies including Infosys,Wipro Technologies, Tech Mahindra and iGate have established significant operations in Victoria, further strengthening this important relationship.

“The Super Trade Mission to India will focus on Victoria’s strengths to generate more jobs for Victorians and substantial new export opportunities for Victorian businesses,” Mr Baillieu said.

“It will build on the successful trade mission to India involving 60 companies that took place in April this year – led by the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Louise Asher – which is anticipated to generate more than $63 million in new exports, $19 million in capital investment and over 570 jobs in Victoria over the next 18 months.

“Trade missions provide Victorian companies with great opportunities to connect with their overseas counterparts and grow new markets for our high-quality goods and services.”

The Super Trade Mission will commence in Delhi on 21 February 2012 and showcase the best of Victorian industry capability in key centres including Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune. The mission is an important element of the Coalition Government’s Trade Engagement Program – India, which aims to strengthen existing relationships between Victoria and India and to open up new and emerging markets. Victorian organisations interested in joining the Super Trade Mission to India can visit www.trade.vic.gov.au for more information.