South Australia unveils revised Engagement Strategy with India

In a move aimed at strengthening the bilateral commercial ties, South Australia has unveiled a revised engagement strategy with India and pledged its support to Narendra Modi-led NDA government's two "key" flagship programmes.
Launching the latest updated strategy paper recently, Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith has said the state's relationship with India has evolved since the release of its first 'India Engagement Strategy' in 2012.
"This refinement of the original strategy will prepare South Australian businesses to embrace new opportunities that stem from our evolving relationship with India," Hamilton-Smith said.
"Major reforms have also occurred in India after the 2014 election of the Modi Government. We have identified a Government-to-Government approach as being effective in providing opportunities for commercial and cultural engagement," he said.

The paper has identified that the services economy within these sectors had the greatest potential for effective commercial engagement with India, and supported two key initiatives promoted by the Modi Government -'Skilling India' and 'Make in India'.
In addition to this, the paper also pinpointed additional opportunities in agribusiness, premium food and wine, tourism and culture, urban planning and health.

"We have listened to exporters and updated the strategy's priorities to help build on existing partnerships and seize new opportunities for collaboration," he said.
The first paper had identified four key sectors - aerospace & defence, energy & natural resources, education & clean technology, the updated strategy paper is said to have a strong focus on emphasising the government's role in facilitating services-based exports to India.

Key changes to the updated India Engagement Strategy include prioritisation of a new sister-State relationship with Rajasthan, greater recognition of the opportunities for state services exports in India, a reinvigorated platform of engagement comprising business missions and a new business education program.
Apart from this, greater connections with the Indian diaspora in the state and activation of South Australia Club in India will also form the part of the strategy.
"Education and training is a sector that presents many
opportunities for increased engagement and partnerships between India and South Australia," he added.
"India is South Australia's second largest source of international students with more than 3489 students enrolled to study here, and all three of our universities are currently collaborating on research projects with leading Indian universities," he said.

"Education, skills and innovation are critical to our efforts to create business and employment opportunities in our State and with India," he added.
"This year we have established an extensive business mission program that will not only see the State Government lead a mission to India, but also to China, South East Asia, the Middle East and the North Atlantic regions," Hamilton-Smith said.
"It is this momentum that is supporting our endeavours to effectively engage with international neighbours for the mutual benefit of our regions."
"There is also an opportunity for South Australia to collaborate on research and technology in agribusiness and share its expertise in areas such as soil testing and fertility, plant breeding, and animal husbandry. India has a large agricultural sector, but it lacks the research capabilities, technologies, skills and expertise needed to improve yields and provide quality," the paper said.

"South Australian Tourism Commission has a dedicated India 2020 Strategy and will increase its promotional efforts in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru from 2016. Rajasthan is rich in its cultural and built heritage, and is the biggest tourism destination in India. The relationship with Rajasthan State provides a framework to promote South Australia's arts and cultural expertise,'' the paper also noted.
India is South Australia's sixth largest export partner, with exports valued at USD736 million for the period of one year till January this year.