“India and Australia have some common heritage and our systems of government are similar,” said Michael Hilliard, president of the Asia Business Connection (ABC).
“English is widely spoken and the communication issues that exist in some other countries are largely overcome.”
Mr Hilliard was speaking in advance of a business mission to India later this year.
“Our last event on India was about two years ago and we have been looking at how we can be more active,” he said.
“A mission will take place in November with the main geographical focus on the north around Punjab, New Delhi and Kolkata and the focus will be on business introductions to create real opportunities between India and Australian businesses.”
Mr Hilliard said that while the mission was not a politically focussed one it would be leveraging off the on-ground support of Austrade and the NSW government together with local business organisations.
The ABC has a series of events planned in seeking expressions of interest from business people who wish to establish markets in India or source material or services from that country.
Dr Jagvinder Singh Virk, co-chairman, of the Australian Business Council of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin, and Walter da Gamma, director, of Luxor Finance Pty Ltd, who previously held senior positions at the Commonwealth Bank, Deutsche Bank and Bank of America, spoke at the first seminar, at the Parkroyal Parramatta.
The second event in the ABC’s India Program 2012 will be held at WatervieW, in Bicentennial Park, on September 12, at which the guest speaker will be Professor Amitabh Mattoo, the inaugural director of the Australia India Institute. In addition to the mission to India, the ABC is planning a business event in Parramatta to coincide with the city’s Parramasala Festival, in November.
