Australian trade minister Warren Truss to visit India tomorrow

New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) Australian trade minister Warren Truss will lead a 50-member delegation to India for the 16th Joint Business Council (JBC) from February 26 to March 2, to strengthen bilateral relationships between the two countries.

According to Mr Truss, India is Australia's 11th largest merchandise trading partner, growing faster than any other top 30 export markets. Two-way trade in goods and services has increased to more than 12 billion dollars in the last fiscal.

''The Indian economy is growing at over eight per cent in the past three years. The rapid growth along with India's more outward-looking economy are deepening our commercial relationship and expanding opportunities for Australian business,'' Mr Truss said in a statement.

The JBC is jointly organised by the Australian Trade Commission and the Australia India Business Council (AIBC).

The Australian business delegation will meet Commerce minister Kamal Nath, besides several senior Indian government officials from various ministries and an Indian business group brought together by the Federation of Indian Chambers, Commerce and Industry.

The recommendations and resolutions resulting from these discussions will be conveyed to the ministerial commitee.

Mr Truss will visit Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

He will be accompanied by representatives of Australian businesses from banking and financial services, mining and resources, infrastructure, education, ICT, aviation, agribusiness, aqua-culture and sports.

UNI