How about using cricket for boosting business ties. Australia apparently has lapped up the idea as it plans to host a lunch for corporates from India and Pakistan, along with domestic counterparts, on the sidelines of a match between Asian arch rivals in World Cup next month.
Under the programme 'Match Australia', the Australian government is organising a meeting over a lunch to be hosted by the Federal Trade Minister along with South Australian government in Adelaide Oval on sidelines of India-Pakistan game scheduled for February 15.
"It (Match Australia) is a essentially business platform for the visiting corporates from various countries. One match on which we are particularly focusing on is India-Pakistan game in Adelaide Oval on February 15. Trade minister will host a lunch to provide the platform for them to mix with their Australian counterparts," Australian Trade Commissioner to India Tom Calder said.
Calder said that they are focusing on sectors like IT, agri-business, mining resources including coal, gold and copper.
Replying to a question, Calder said, "There will be around 40 corporates from India, around 15-20 from Pakistan and 50 will be from Australia." He was speaking here on the sidelines of the event 'Australia Business Week in India'.
With Australia hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, 'Match Australia' will utilise these events as a platform to further promote Australian capabilities across international markets especially Asia.
"Austrade (Australian Trade Commission) will encourage high-level government and business delegations to visit Australia during the World Cup," a spokesperson of the commission said.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29. Both India and Pakistan will face each other in their first match on February 15 after a long time.
