PA/47/11 18 November 2011
NSW TRADE MISSION TO INDIA
‘A PREMIER SUCCESS’
Cultural, education, and economic links between the Australian State of New South Wales and India were boosted this week by a trade and investment mission to India led by New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell.
Mr O’Farrell led the mission to Delhi, Mumbai and Bengalaru between 13 November and 18 November, announcing a number of new collaborations between Indian and New South Wales based businesses and institutions.
The Premier also announced a new partnership between Cricket NSW and the Mumbai Cricket Association to establish the NSW-Maharashtra Cup, to be played every two years in Sydney and Mumbai, with the first match to be held in Sydney in November 2012.
“This week has reconfirmed to me the strength of relationships that already existed between India and New South Wales, and I am delighted this mission has successfully enhanced them.
“I was particularly pleased to announce that our academic links will be further enhanced with up to 167 new higher education, post graduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships available to Indian students, worth a total of A$18 million.
“In 2010, there were almost 22,000 enrolments from Indian students in NSW, almost 10 per cent of the State’s total international student enrolments – an education in NSW gives students the whole package, from internationally respected qualifications to world class research, teaching and learning.
“I see this level of investment as just the start of a long term partnership opportunity between New South Wales and India.
“The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has outlined his vision to skill 500 million Indians, including 200 million college graduate, by the year 2022.
“I see this level of investment by New South Wales educational institutions as just the start of a long term partnership opportunity between New South Wales and India.
“Our expertise in delivering vocational, tertiary, research and development, distance training and in-market training can all help India meet its economic development needs – and a stronger India is good for Australia and New South Wales.
Premier O’Farrell also met with Indian business leaders to promote New South Wales’ leading research and development and technology capabilities, and to seek Indian collaboration and cooperation in this sector.
“We also have a new and exciting agreement to provide high quality, professional training courses to principals and senior executives in Indian schools, linking them with independent schools in the New South Wales.
“I also announced the launch of a new volunteer program that will see New South Wales university students travel to India to work on education projects for poverty-affected children in the state of Karnataka.”
The Premier also announced a new partnership between Cricket NSW and the Mumbai Cricket Association to establish the NSW-Maharashtra Cup, to be played every two years in Sydney and Mumbai, with the first match to be held in Sydney in November 2012.
The trade and investment mission began on 13 November in Mumbai with the Premier’s address to the World Economic Forum – India Economic Summit.
Key business announcements during the week included a A$5.5 million contract for New South Wales based company Laservision to design, develop and install a large-scale multi-media attraction at the shrine of Indian spiritual leader Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi, near Pune in Maharashtra.
Premier O’Farrell also addressed representatives of Indian financial services companies, regulators and government leaders to introduce them to the Sydney’s new Centre for International Finance and Regulation.
“New South Wales is open for business and this mission has shown me that our State can be an even stronger and strategic partner for the Indian government and Indian business in ways that achieve shared economic and cultural goals,” Mr O’Farrell said.