Australia to host Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013

The seventh edition of the annual Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, expected to be attended by over a thousand delegates from Asia-Pacific, will be held in the Australian city of Sydney this November.
India's Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Premier of New South Wales Barry O'Farrell jointly announced this during a video conference conducted between their offices in New Delhi and Sydney, an official statement said.
"I am delighted to be jointly announcing with Minister Ravi that the strong bond between NSW, India and overseas Indians will be further strengthened during the 2013 Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Sydney," O'Farrell said.

"I look forward to officially opening the 2013 Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Sydney on November 11 and meeting Minister Ravi in person. I am confident the event will be a major success," he added.
The 2013 Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the seventh such conference to be held outside India is expected to attract about 1,000 delegates from the Asia-Pacific.
"The aim of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas - or Overseas Indian Conference - is to connect India with its vast Indian Diaspora and bringing their knowledge, expertise and skills together. NSW is honoured to be a part of this fantastic event," O'Farrell added.

He also hailed Sydney as the perfect location for the conference, adding that the event will generate an estimated USD 2.8 million of economic activity for NSW.

The NSW premier praised the contribution of Indian people living in the state.
"NSW has welcomed many Indian people to our shores - tourists, students, business people and migrants who have made an important contribution to our society," he said, adding that "the NSW Government is keen to forge even stronger ties with government and business leaders across India."
"Each year I lead a delegation on a trade and investment mission to India - to further reinforce the message that NSW is committed to a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with India," O'Farrell said.

Indian High Commissioner to Australia Biren Nanda and the Consul General of India in Sydney, Arun Goel were also present in Sydney for the announcement.