A stronger relationship with Kerala

16 October 2023

The Northern Territory Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kerala State Government, India to develop further economic, social and cultural relationships between our two regions.  

This is the first MOU the Northern Territory Government has entered into with an Indian state, and formalises and reinforces the relationships between the two jurisdictions.

The Northern Territory has a diverse and vibrant Indian community of more than 5,000 people which includes a significant number from southern Indian states such as Kerala.

India is one of the top 10 trading partners of the Northern Territory and a priority market in the Northern Territory Government’s International Engagement Strategy 2022-2026, and with a population of over 1.4 billion people, is a global economic powerhouse.

There are over 500 Indian students currently enrolled at higher education and vocational education and training providers across the Territory, our second largest international student market.

We want to keep growing this important international education market.

The MOU is underpinned by a Plan of Action to grow bilateral relations and promote prosperity between our two regions.

Key areas of cooperation in the Plan of Action include:

o            workforce training and development including but not limited to health care

o            higher education and vocational education and training

o            economic development including two way trade.

While in India, Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison met with the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, to discuss the MOU and areas to enhance cooperation, such as trade, healthcare, and education.

To recognise this growing relationship, esteemed members of the Territory’s Indian community were also invited to Kerala to share their experiences living in the Territory.

The MOU will enable the Northern Territory to grow our workforce, build capacity within our higher education and VET sectors and diversify trade with India.

Quotes from Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison:

“The Northern Territory has a vibrant Indian community, and the signing of this agreement helps strengthen the economic, social and cultural relationships between both our regions.

“We have a strong and growing community from Kerala living across the Northern Territory who are making an enormous contribution every day.  We want more families from Kerala to bring their high skill sets here and call the Northern Territory home.

“This MOU will build cooperation in allied health workforce training and development, higher education and vocation education and training, and trade development.

“I look forward to deepening the relationship between the Northern Territory and Kerala, as it moves from strength to strength.”

Northern Territory Government