Strengthening Trade, Engagement and Economic Partnerships with India

6 October 2023

The Deputy Chief Minister will lead a delegation to India to attract new investment in the Territory’s critical minerals and energy industries, grow two-way trade and strengthen people to people relationships with India.

India is one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, worth of $3.3 trillion, and there are enormous opportunities for Territory businesses, exporters and investors to capitalise on this expanding international market.

India is identified as a priority market in the Northern Territory International Engagement Strategy 2022-2026, and is also one of 10 key trading partners of the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory delegation will travel to Mumbai, Chennai and Kerala between 8-13 October for trade and investment meetings.

Key meetings include Government Officials, tourism and aviation, energy and manufacturing companies including Tata Group, Kerala Minerals and Metals, and the Indo-Australia Chamber of Commerce. 

The world is turning its attention to achieving net zero emissions and the electrification of India’s vehicle fleet is an enormous opportunity for the Northern Territory.

These meetings will help the Territory re-engage with this important market and promote potential exports in our critical minerals and clean energy sectors.

As India works towards reduced emissions from its energy network and establishes itself as a hub of manufacturing, the Northern Territory is well placed to be a new supplier of critical minerals to India.

This delegation provides new opportunities for the Territory to attract new investment into our critical minerals sector and grow two-way trade opportunities.

Recognising India’s strengths in nursing, there will be an opportunity to progress a Kerala Nursing Pilot to grow the pipeline of accredited skills for the health sector in the Territory, and to encourage people to people links between our regions.

Kerala has high education standards, and their nurses are some of the best in the world, they will be a welcome addition to the health workforce in the Northern Territory.

A key focus of the mission is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Northern Territory Government and Kerala State Government.

The agreement will help further strengthen relationships between the Territory and India.

People to people links between Darwin and India are strong, there are over 5,000 people currently living in the Northern Territory who were born in India.

To recognise this enduring relationship, five members of the Darwin Indian business community will join the Northern Territory Government in Kerala to participate in key events with the State Government on 11 October.

These business community members will play a significant role in promoting the Northern Territory as a wonderful place to live, work and invest.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Chief Minister, Nicole Manison:

“India is global economic super power, and we want to build trade ties which will diversify and boost the Northern Territory economy.

“The Territory is a world-class investment destination and we are well placed to be a new supplier of critical minerals to India.

“We can support India’s ambitions to reduce emissions from its energy network and establish itself as a hub for renewable energy technologies, while creating jobs for Territorians and boosting our economy.

“We have a vibrant Indian community that contributes to the social, cultural and economic fabric of the Territory. The agreement with Kerala State Government will help strengthen these partnerships between the Territory and India, and their world class nurses will be a welcome addition to our health workforce.”

Costings:

Total trip cost: $65,680.85

Cost for Minister Manison and two ministerial staff:

Flights: $18,902.03

Accommodation: $7,705.50

Cost for three representatives from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade:

Flights: $18,349.82

Accommodation: $9,223.50

Cost for one representative from Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet:

Total Flights: $ 8,000

Total Accommodation: $ 3,500

Northern Territory Government