First of its kind, AIBC Women in Business delegation to travel to Gujarat, India in 2017

AIBC to host official welcome for H.E. Gondane, new High Commissioner of India to Australia

Sydney, January 20: Australia India Business Council Ltd (AIBC), the peak body facilitating bi-lateral trade and investment between Australia and India, has capped off a successful year in enhancing the bilateral relationship; and revealed a packed calendar of events for 2017.

Beginning with the recently-concluded business delegation to the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017, AIBC will conduct an official welcome for H.E. Dr Shri Ajay M Gondane, new High Commissioner of India to Australia and facilitate first-of-its-kind, AIBC Women in Business delegation to India later this year.

During the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the 30-strong AIBC delegation met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijaybhai R. Rupani, who expressed a keen interest in understanding the delegates’ interests and assured attendees of the Gujarat Government’s full support.

Commenting on the success of the delegation, AIBC National Vice Chair and delegation leader Dr Jim Varghese said, “The Australia India Business Council is proud to once again partner with Vibrant Gujarat for the biennial Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2017 as part of our commitment to providing our AIBC members with the best business opportunities to develop valuable partnerships with business, government, and industry in India.

“AIBC is honoured and grateful for the strong indication of support from Gujarat Government. This is a platform for businesses and influencers to come together to explore some of the current global opportunities.”

Ms Sheba Nandkeolyar, National Chair, AIBC attended the Summit in her capacity as a Board member of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Australia-India Council.

“Both India and Australia are more openly looking at this corridor of opportunities and I am certain Vibrant Gujarat is a great foundation to start.

“The Summit is indeed an amazing world platform to interact with key policy-makers, industry leaders, global thought leaders, regulators and renowned academicians from India, Australia and all over the world”, Ms Nandkeolyar said.

The initiative is a valuable means to initiate and foster bilateral relationships between stakeholders through B2B and B2G meetings.

The AIBC delegation at Vibrant Gujarat 2017.
The AIBC delegation at Vibrant Gujarat 2017.

AIBC delegates’ diverse business interests included education, skills development, mining, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, toxicology, financial services, digital products and services, and manufacturing.

The AFR–AIBC National Conference on ‘Engaging with India’ was a highly successful AIBC event held in 2016, which facilitated collaboration between high-level stakeholders from the government, industry and business councils.

In addition to the Annual Addresses by every AIBC State Chapter planned in conjunction with Indian Independence Day – August 2017; AIBC also has a yearlong 2017 program including hosting of bi-lateral business delegations and ministerial round tables, conferences and seminars.

Implications of India Budget, GST and Australian Financial End of Year updates will be a focus at some of these events.

“The New Year 2017 presents a number of opportunities for everyone involved. I am optimistic, and AIBC is planning even more events, delegations and chances for Indian and Australian relations to strengthen immensely”, Ms Nandkeolyar said.

By K. Dev