South Australia’s India visit
- WD Team
South Australian Premier Mike Rann, lead a ten day mission to India, promoting investment, education and migration. The delegation of more than 25 business, education and government representatives visited New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai to enhance trade and explore potential partnerships in mining, IT, engineering, renewable energy and film. The Mumbai leg visit was organized by the Indian Merchants Chamber who regularly encourages and support various business delegations coming to Mumbai.
Education was one of the key focuses of the mission, with representatives from Adelaide three local Universities, namely, Australia’s first foreign University, Carnegie Mellon and trade colleges. During the mission a number of significant MOU’s between South Australia Universities and colleges and Universities in India were signed. They also visited the IIT in Mumbai.
The delegation also included representatives from South Australia’s renowned food and wine sector as well as range of professional service companies. “There are growing export opportunities for South Australian business especially in the food, wine, technology and provision of environmental management and architecture and engineering sectors,” spoke Mr. Rann. He met several Indian ministers and held discussion with major Indian corporations regarding further increasing investment in South Australia in areas of renewable energy, resources and infrastructure. “Like India, South Australia’s economy is gaining pace with more than $45 billion worth projects underway or in pipeline, with mining and defense leading the way. South Australia is on the cusp of a mining boom, with the world’s first trillion dollar mine about to be established in the states’ far north. The Olympic Dam mine will be the world’s biggest uranium mine and the fourth biggest copper mine on the planet. South Australia is also the defense capital of Australia and has secured more than $12 billion in defense contract in the past two and half years,” revealed Mr. Rann.
KPMG recently rated Adelaide as one of the three competitive places or business among more than 100 cities worldwide. At the same time Mercer study found Adelaide one of the least expensive cities in the world to live. Many Indians are choosing South Australia as their permanent home. India provides 28% of the skilled migrants and is increasing. So far only UK provides more settlers than India. South Australia is a state twice the size of Spain but with only a population of 1.5 million people. The target is to lift the population to two million by 2050. “Our state needs large number of skilled workers, the sort that India can provide and with easier migration system it has made it simpler and attractive” said a confident Rann.
An excerpt of an interview with Mr. Rann during the visit to Mumbai arranged by the Indian Merchants Chambers:
WD- What are the mining prospects in South Australia?
Mr. Rann- Reliance was the first company to set up oil and gas exploration and we have 40% uranium reserve that can be mined. Although we cannot sell the uranium, we cannot stop it from mining it. Then we have large copper, mineral and gold deposits that need to be explored. Ours is the 4th largest mining prospect in the world today.
WD- What sort of skilled people do you require and have the rules been relaxed to that affect?
Mr. Rann- Federal government has amended the rules to help immigration. We need skilled people in the field of sciences, geologists, environmentalists, IT professionals, accountants, medical, lawyers and other supporting professionals. We give opportunities and have industrial need reserves and resources but lack people.
