Sydney: Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, continued his productive engagements in Australia on the second day of his official visit, which runs from September 23 to 26. As the Chief Guest at the 22nd National Conference of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) in Sydney, the Minister addressed over 1,100 real estate developers from India, encouraging them to expand their global footprint, especially in Australia.
In his speech, Goyal praised the real estate sector’s pivotal role in India’s economic growth and urged the industry to adopt measures that prioritize the well-being of the millions of workers employed in the sector. He also highlighted the potential for real estate developers to explore international opportunities, particularly in Australia’s growing market.
During the day, Goyal met with the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns MP, at the NSW Parliament. The two leaders discussed the growing business and community linkages between India and Australia, with a focus on NSW’s contribution to these bilateral ties. The Minister also attended a reception hosted in his honor by the Parliamentary Friends of India and the Australia-India Business Council (AIBC). The event was attended by several NSW Ministers, including Anoulack Chanthivong MP, Minister for Industry and Trade of NSW, alongside prominent parliamentarians and business leaders.
In his address at the reception, Goyal expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and emphasized the importance of bipartisan support in strengthening India-Australia relations. He acknowledged that this shared commitment bolsters economic engagement and enhances bilateral partnerships.
As part of his outreach to key stakeholders, Goyal addressed a gathering organized by Asia Link Business (ALB), the Australia India Institute, and KPMG, focusing on strengthening India-Australia collaboration in sectors such as renewable energy, digitization, infrastructure, education, critical minerals, tourism, fintech, agritech, and space. In a fireside chat with ALB CEO Mr. Leigh Howard, the Minister answered a range of questions on fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.
A notable moment of the event was the presentation of a report titled ‘Doing Business in India’, published by ALB, which offers insights to Australian businesses looking to tap into India’s vast economic opportunities.
The Minister also engaged with emerging Indian-origin and Australian business leaders during an event organized by the High Commission of India and the India-Australia Business Community Alliance (IABCA). Highlighting their success stories, Goyal called them examples of the robust opportunities that strong India-Australia relations present for mutual benefit.
In another interaction, the Minister met with the Australian (Sydney) Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, urging them to act as a “living bridge” to promote deeper business ties between the two nations.
Earlier in the day, Goyal participated virtually in a meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. During his remarks, he emphasized the importance of collective efforts in critical sectors such as semiconductors, clean energy minerals, chemicals, and healthcare to maximize the framework’s potential.
After wrapping up his successful two-day stay in Sydney, Goyal is set to travel to Adelaide, where he will co-chair the 19th Joint Ministerial Commission meeting with Senator Don Farrell, Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, on September 25, 2024. The meeting will further explore avenues for enhancing trade and tourism cooperation between India and Australia.
Goyal’s visit underscores India’s commitment to strengthening economic and trade relations with Australia, promoting mutual growth and development across various sectors.
