Australia is looking for opportunities to collaborate in key sectors
Andrew Robb
Chennai: Australia is looking for opportunities to collaborate in key sectors such as manufacturing and IT in Tamil Nadu, Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said. The country is in discussion with the state government to formulate economic co-operation, he said.
“We had a discussion with the state’s Industries minister Thangamani and finance minster O. Panneerselvam on Wednesday to create an economic co-operation plan and increase the productivity in areas like diary industries, farm management, fisheries and aquaculture. We have technologies and expertise in these fields,” he said adding that Australia, one of the partner nation at the recently concluded Global Investors Meet showcased its expertise in multiple industries like dairy, fisheries, auto and skills training during the event.
Another area where Australia is collaborating with the state is in education and sports, said the minister. Regarding the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Australia, the minister said that they are trying to finalise it by this year-end.
“This pact will primarily focus on skill training and services sector and will spur commercial and other activities between the two countries,” he said. The CECA will focus on the services sector with focus on health care services, port management services, logistics, agriculture services etc. “About 75 per cent of Australia’s GDP comes from services sector and 70 percent of our export are services. The sector is also providing employment to a large number of people,” Robb said.
Negotiations between India and Australia on the proposed CECA had earlier hit a roadblock. “We are revitalising it now. For the last few years, India and China are at the centre of gravity in political and economic areas. We recently concluded a similar agreement with China and now are looking forward to India,” he said and added that for finalising agreement with China it took seven years and with Japan and Korea nine years.
“This agreement will provide investment opportunities and job for middle class sector,” said Robb.
Regarding Adani’s coal mining project in Australia, he said that all regulatory clearance was given to the project and also added that the country is open to allowing Indian companies to mine uranium and export it. He said two Canadian companies were at present mining uranium in Australia. “The nuclear cooperation agreement with India is to be concluded before 2015-end,” Robb said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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