City spruiks closer ties with India

THE City of Greater Geelong has hosted its first Geelong India Business Roundtable, bringing together key state, national and international stakeholders to stimulate opportunities for business and investment.

Attendees at the city-led event last month included Consul General of India in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar, representatives from the Australia India Business Council, the Australia India Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses such as Care Essentials and Enterprise Monkey.

Government and education stakeholders were also present, such as Invest Victoria, Global Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Deakin University, The Gordon, Geelong Manufacturing Council, Advanced Fibre Cluster, the Office of Richard Marles MP, Committee for Geelong, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Wyndham.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj spoke of opportunities for Geelong to be the leader in international engagement, describing it as a necessity, while Dr Kumar spoke about the opportunities presented by India’s growing economy, from green energy to fintech.

As the fastest growing region in Australia and Victoria’s second largest city, migrants make up a significant portion of Geelong’s growing population, with Geelong being home to more than 5,000 residents born in India.

The roundtable provided a platform for guests to explore opportunities for future growth and investment with India, especially Geelong’s rapidly increasing Indian-born population and India’s projected status as the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade.

Guest speaker Abhay Sinha, who is managing director at Care Essentials, discussed the extensive entrepreneurial potential that exists when the two economies work together.

The roundtable is the first step in plans for an coming Geelong–India International Business Forum, which will bring together businesses from across India and Geelong to foster joint ventures, establish new trade pathways and investments and deepen links.

Following the roundtable, progress is already being made to seek Sister City opportunities within India, and the city also hopes to work with Creative Victoria and Visit Victoria to explore Bollywood and tourism opportunities for Geelong, as well as economic development initiatives.

Cr Kontelj thanked the roundtable attendees and noted the positive discussions in the room.

“I had high expectations for this event going in, but the first Geelong India Business Roundtable has absolutely exceeded them,” he said.

“To have so many key representatives from both the Geelong and Indian economies in the one place to explore opportunities is a significant win for our city.

“What is absolutely clear from the event is that there is so much opportunity for economic growth and new jobs for our city which is just waiting to be explored.”