Gallop's visit boosts
Indian investment in W. Australia

Western Australia's Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop made his inaugural visit to India during the first week of October 2005. The Premier's nine-day program had a strong resources sector focus but also emphasised his Government's commitment to and interest in strengthening ties in agri-food, education and tourism.
To date, Western Australia has attracted the lion's share of Indian investment to Australia accounting for three quarters of a billion dollars. From fruitful discussions with leading Indian corporations this growing interest is likely to increase with further energy sector down-streaming investments.
In his meeting with the Minister for Industry and Commerce Kamal Nath, Dr Gallop reinforced Australia's concern about bans on Australian dairy and meat products and of the high State tariffs that operate as barriers to trade in the wine industry.
Western Australia, in conjunction with the National Food Industry Strategy (NFIS) group and Austrade is working to export more Australian food products and fruits to India. Dr Gallop praised the work of the WA Department of Agriculture and the WA Trade Office which are leading a drive to export apples and stone fruit in to the market.
The success of the “open bulk bin” export of gala apples from Western Australia's South West has seen exports lift from 40 containers in 2003-04 to 60 containers in 2004-05. The stone fruit marketing strategy (an Australia wide drive) will be launched early in 2006 under the “Summerfruit Australia” promotion.
Dr Gallop also expressed his interest in seeing Western Australia increase its market share in attracting Indian students to study in Perth. Part of the strategy will see the position of Education Marketing Officer reinstated in the WA Trade Office functions in 2006.
Another outcome was his support, at the urging of Tamil Nadu, for reviving the Chem-Plast Kaillis Trophy cricket competition between the Ranji Cup Team in Tamil Nadu and the Pura Cup Team in Western Australia. The competition commenced in 1994 but the untimely death of Michael Kailis two years later saw it flounder for want of a sponsor on the Western Australian side. It is hoped to revive it in a 20/20 version of the game.
Gold and diamonds from Western Australia play a vital role in India's jewellery industry. It accounts for $10 billion in export earnings for India and is the country's number one export. Dr Gallop and the Gem and Jewellery Council of India announced that Western Australian jewellery designers would be invited to participate in Mumbai's international jewellery exhibition in April 2006.
The event will give Western Australian designers an opportunity to showcase their talent and skills to Indian manufacturers and international buyers and manufacturers who participate in this global event.
Western Australia is also keen to attract an Indian airline to use Perth as an alternative entry and exit port of call for Australia. Talks were held with several major airlines.
Throughout his visit and travel to Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai, Dr Gallop emphasised Western Australia's proximity to India it is the closest Australian capital city to India and only two and a half hours difference in time zones. He called for a reinvigoration of the Indian Ocean Rim Forum and focus on sharing R&D opportunities to help the rim grow and prosper.
Development Minister Alan Carpenter due in March 2006. State Opposition Leader Matt Birney is also expected to lead a fact finding mission here in February.

Author Sonia Grinceri was the former Regional Director, Western Australia Trade Office India