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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-12-05 Daily Xml
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India Trade Delegation

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:56): My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Given that excitement is building for the Test week in Adelaide—Australia versus India—and given the minister's illustrious career with the Wolseley first 11, can the minister inform the council of the exciting business and networking opportunities on offer with this week's coinciding Indian inbound trade mission?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:56): I thank the member for his ongoing interest.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: We're talking about cricket, Mr President, and I love cricket. I love cricket.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Do you wish to speak again, honourable minister?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I love cricket, Mr President, and this morning I had the great—

The PRESIDENT: Get to your answer, the Hon. Mr Ridgway.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: —pleasure of welcoming an Indian inbound business delegation to South Australia, coinciding with the first Test between Australia and India at the fabulous Adelaide Oval. The cricket will provide the perfect backdrop for an inbound Indian trade mission as South Australian companies pitch their products and services to high-profile representatives across key sectors of opportunity between our two regions. These areas include tourism, water, environment, defence, investment, technology, innovation and agribusiness.

Representatives from India attending the delegation come from a broad cross-section of the Indian community, including Tata Elxi, Aatash Norcontrol, Aptech, HCL (whom I discussed yesterday in the chamber), the Confederation of Indian Industry, key government officials and many more. Some of the South Australian companies participating in the delegation include Adelaide Brighton, Thomas Foods, Elders, Vinnovate, Silanna, Morgans Financial, Drakes Supermarkets, Peregrine Corporation, Mayne Pharma Group and our leading universities, just to name a few.

The four-day visit will showcase some of the state's top tourism attractions, while providing the chance for delegates to meet local companies looking to export to India, as well as highlight key investment opportunities within our great state of South Australia. The delegation will meet senior South Australian industry and government leaders and visit our newest innovation and entrepreneurship precinct—or 'ideapreneurs' as we talked about yesterday—at Lot Fourteen.

Indeed, this morning's official welcome took place at Lot Fourteen, where the guests heard from a range of guest speakers on trade, tourism and investment opportunities. Each delegate has a bespoke program of business-to-business programs organised by my department to match their needs with the opportunities most relevant to businesses here in South Australia.

I was able to highlight some of the key areas of growth that we can collaborate on to do business, as well as some of South Australia's great strengths and export opportunities. The launch this morning at Lot Fourteen was a significant event. There were probably 60 to 70 people in the room, and I am sure the rest of the program will be enjoyed by all. Tomorrow, the delegation will engage in a comprehensive program of sports diplomacy at Adelaide Oval, enjoying a common love of cricket while engaging in business meetings and networking.

India, as we are very well aware, is a very important economic partner, one for which we see plenty of room for growth. I hope that this is the beginning of many fruitful relationships between these Indian companies and South Australian businesses. I look forward to furthering the relationship between our great state of South Australia and the great country of India.

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