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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-09-09 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Statement

India Trade

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:11): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Advancing the government's economic plan includes the promotion of our state's international connections and engagement. South Australia has always been an economy driven by exports of our goods to international markets and attracting capital from international investors. As part of our re-energised and renewed trade and investment action plan, we have elevated our engagement with India, a large emerging economy in our region with which we share common historical, cultural and political bonds.

As Minister for Investment and Trade, I recently led our state's largest ever delegation to India, from 9 to 15 August, with 41 business representatives, four industry association representatives and 13 educational and cultural delegates. Our program included key industry sectors:

food, wine and agribusiness;

for the first time, defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing;

education, tourism, culture and sport;

water and environmental management; and

health, amongst others.

The Department of State Development continues to successfully partner with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Austrade to deliver commercial outcomes in India for South Australian businesses.Thanks must go to Australia's High Commissioner Patrick Suckling, Senior Trade Commissioner Nicola Watkinson, Consul-General in Mumbai Mark Pierce and their staff for supporting the South Australian team.

Our delegation covered Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Bangalore, with business matching, round tables and networking. While many new doors were opened, the mission also saw the conclusion of negotiations and agreement struck for a number of our participants, including solar power technology manufacturer HelioStat, Flinders Ranges Premium Grain and the Defence Teaming Centre. New leads were also generated for investment attraction which will be referred to the new investment attraction agency under chair Rob Chapman.

In addition, significant government-to-government relations were fostered, paving the way for the delivery of services in water management, skills development and research collaboration with the government of Rajasthan. I also had the honour of celebrating India's Independence Day with the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ms Vasundhara Raje. We identified cooperative action programs for both our governments' collaboration.

An opportunity for provision of environmental management services was identified between KESAB, Green Industries SA and North and South Delhi councils. The KESAB story is a 49-year tale of evolving from a community-based anti-litter campaign to an international player in environmental management. It is a good example of what happens when you start with a local focus and, as your business matures, you raise your eyes to the rest of the world.

On the back of our recent success in India we have invited major investors and senior government representatives to South Australia for the build-up to the T20 Australia versus India cricket game on 26 January 2016, which is both Australia Day and India's Republic Day.

The government of South Australia looks forward to the continuing partnership with India, capitalising on the opportunities identified during this trade mission. We are engaging with key trade partners, working in cooperation with Austrade and giving local businesses a pathway to global commerce with the goal of creating jobs and enterprise at home. We are, through promoting trade and exports, advancing the state's economy, creating jobs and building wealth.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I call the leader to order and I call the Minister for Industry and Trade to order.

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