ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/9/2001 22 May 2001
India and Australia to discuss Energy, Minerals
The second meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group on Energy and Minerals, to be held in New Delhi on 23-24 May 2001, will consider among other issues the prospective supply to India of Australian LNG.
The Joint Working group aims to facilitate information exchange on energy and minerals policies and issues. It seeks also to promote trade and investment in energy and mineral resources, as well as resource processing to enhance long-term bilateral cooperation and stimulate the development of commercial relationship to the benefit of both countries.
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr Rob Laurie, said that Australia was extremely pleased with this dialogue, which allowed government and business to sit together and discuss energy and mineral developments in the two countries.
"The proposed establishment of an LNG terminal in Orissa fuelled with LNG sourced from Australia is an exciting development, and one which will be taken up in this forum," Mr Laurie said.
Australia's supply of uncut diamonds to India contributes to India's successful jewellery export markets, and coking coal is provided for India's steel industry. Australia also supplies India with copper, lead, zinc, silver, platinum and iron ore.
Australia, with its abundant petroleum and mineral resources is a technologically advanced mining nation. Its resource industries are strongly export-driven, capital intensive and highly innovative. A sophisticated world-class engineering industry underpins the sector – with an excellent track record in design and construction of major mining and petroleum projects.
The Joint Working Group meeting will be chaired jointly by Dr Aruna Bagchee, Joint Secretary in the Indian Department of Mines, and Mr Tim Mackey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer from the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
For further information and for photographs contact Mr Rory Medcalf (First Secretary) 688 8223 Ext. 197.