Australia official partner country to Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024, sends over 80 delegates

Gandhinagar: As an official country partner, Australia has announced its participation in Vibrant Gujarat, India’s largest investor summit by sending a high level delegation made up of 36 businesses and 80 delegates to facilitate greater two-way business activity and explore trade and investment opportunities in Gujarat and India. The delegation will also include government representatives of three Australian states – New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland, as well as, five Australian universities.Philip Green OAM, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, will lead the Australian delegation.

Australia has announced opening of India’s first international university campus by Deakin University in Gujarat’s GIFT City.

With this year’s summit focusing on the themes of Industry 4.0, Technology and Innovation, and Transitioning Towards Sustainability, Australian businesses active in education and skills, critical minerals, renewable energy, net zero linked technologies, advanced manufacturing, digital health innovation, banking and finance have confirmed their participation.

Australia’s High Commissioner to India who will be speaking at the summit said,” the Australia-India relationship is stronger than ever as the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) continues to boost trade. But there is much more we can do to unlock the potential for business. Vibrant Gujarat will provide a strong platform for strengthening business-to-business ties. It also presents an opportunity to showcase the credentials of Australian companies to Indian customers, to meet new business partners and to learn more about how India’s economic agenda aligns with Australia’s growth ambitions.”

On the economic front, our two-way trade has grown by more than 50 per cent in the last five years. ECTA has provided the momentum for negotiations towards an even more ambitious goal: a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement or CECA which will boost supply chains for the minerals India needs to drive its manufacturing and exports.

“I want us to have a CECA that expands the range of goods available in India, strengthens Indian supply chains, and advances its green transition. ECTA already gets us some of the way there. 96 per cent of Indian goods now enter Australia duty free, and 85 per cent of Australian goods now enter India without tariffs. Our companies have noticed and are benefiting. India’s utilisation rate for goods under our agreement is 77 per cent – around triple what it is for some of India’s
other free trade agreements,” the High Commissioner added.

The theme for the Australian pavilion at Vibrant Gujarat is ‘Australia: Your destination for business, investment, study, and tourism’. It will specifically highlight the bilateral trade and investment opportunities unlocked by the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) – particularly through tariff reductions.

“I am looking forward to welcoming Vibrant Gujarat delegates to the Australia Pavilion, a wonderful showcase of Australia’s economic sophistication. You will be able to learn about Australia’s strengths in education, critical minerals, digital health and innovation, the unique capabilities of our states, and how we can contribute to the growth priorities of Gujarat and of India more broadly. Our Pavilion will also showcase our First Nations perspectives, the oldest continuing cultures on Earth,” said Tim Thomas, CEO of the Centre for Australia-India Relations

Since the signing of ECTA, both countries have sought significant opportunities to diversify and expand two-way trade. The agreement also strengthens the people-to-people links and enables students to study and work for a longer duration in Australia.

Representatives of Australian companies, ANZ and Macquarie Group, that have significant presence in India will be speaking at Vibrant Gujarat as part of Australia’s country session.

ANZ India, Country Head, Rufus Pinto said, “India is a bright spot in the global economy, and as a hub for trade and innovation Gujarat has quickly positioned itself as an integral part of India’s growth story. Services and education are key drivers of Australia’s export economy, and ANZ is strategically placed to help strengthen the Australia-India trade relationship in these sectors by connecting our customers to growth opportunities in the GIFT City and around the region. We are one of the largest Australian investors in India. We remain committed to growing India’s trade with our home market and supporting the economic growth and development of both nations.”

Abhishek Poddar, India Country Head, Macquarie Group said: “Macquarie has been operating in India for over 18 years and has undertaken large investments in the state of Gujarat in roads and renewables sector. We have seen a deepening of Indian-Australian relations over the last one decade and believe there is more that can be done to create inward investment opportunities for Australian and Indian businesses – so I welcome events like Vibrant Gujarat and its Australia Pavilion which help provide a forum to build bilateral ties.”

Australian presence at Vibrant Gujarat

-Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, will formally inaugurate the Australian Pavilion. The theme for the pavilion is ‘Australia: Your destination for business, investment, study and tourism’. It will highlight the trade and investment opportunities for both countries under Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

Date: Wednesday, 10 January Time: 9.00 to 9.15Venue: Hall 1, Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar

-This will be followed by the Australia Country Session to highlight Australia’s expertise and strong areas of cooperation with India. The High Commissioner will deliver the keynote address at the country session, moderated by former Australian politician and director of Australia-India CEO Forum, Jodi McKay.

-The panel will include Rufus Pinto, India Country Head, ANZ Bank, Abhishek Poddar, India Country Head, Macquarie Group, Tim Thomas, CEO of Centre for Australia-India Relations, Prof Nick Birbilis, Executive Dean, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Deakin University, Dr Jags Krishnan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, Government of Western Australia and representatives from the Newland Global Group. The panellists will bring in their perspectives on India investment opportunities in the infrastructure and renewable energy sector, focus on opportunities in Indian financial services and GIFT City, driving the Australia-India bilateral relationship forward, India-Australia education and skills opportunities and more. The panel will also include the launch of “Case Studies: Advocating Business Success Between Australia and India” by Newland Global Group. The case studies highlight best practices of businesses who have succeeded in the Australia and India markets.

Date: Wednesday, 10 January

Time: 14.30 to 16.00
Venue: Seminar Hall 10, Exhibition Hall 2, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar

-India’s first international branch campus by Australia’s Deakin University will be inaugurated in Gujarat. The Australian High Commissioner will preside over the event.

Date: Wednesday, 10 January

Time: 18.00 to 20.00
Venue: Deakin University, GIFT City Campus, GIFT CITY, Gandhinagar

-The first Leadership Series Roundtable of Deakin University in partnership with India Australia Business and Community Alliance (IABCA) will be held at GIFT City. The roundtable will be on “Building Sustainable Futures – Australia India relations”.

Date: Thursday, 11 January

Time: 10.00 to 11.30
Venue: Deakin University, GIFT City Campus, GIFT CITY, Gandhinagar

-The Business Council Australia CEO Forum Roundtable titled “Education to employment – nurturing talent for global business”, hosted in collaboration with CII and Indo Australian Chamber of Commerce will also take place at GIFT City.

Date: Thursday, 11 January
Time: 12.00 to 13.00
Venue: Grand Mercure Hotel, GIFT City, Gandhinagar