Austrade media release

Thursday, 10 April 2008

Australian businesses can now access a comprehensive report ‘Opportunities in Infrastructure and Resources Sector in India’ to maximise business opportunities in India, Australia's fastest-growing major export market.

The report compiled for Austrade by KPMG India was launched by the Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, in Melbourne today and identifies key resource and infrastructure developments and projects in India.

Mr Mike Moignard, Austrade’s Senior Trade Commissioner, South Asia, leads the Austrade team who provide Australian exporters with information on sectoral opportunities, market trends and effective strategies to leverage business opportunities in India.

Mr Moignard says structural reforms over the last decade have helped India become one of the world's fastest growing emerging economies. 

“A new era of growth has opened with massive deregulation of India’s market, including elimination of complex licensing rules and many public monopolies, and relaxation of foreign direct investment guidelines,” Mr Moignard said.
 
“Operating in a market of this size is not without challenges, but it’s a market in which Australian innovation and expertise will find exciting new avenues for business success. Australian businesses wanting to learn about prospects in the multi-billion dollar Indian market are encouraged to read the report and participate in the industry briefings conducted by Austrade and KPMG,” he said.

Speaking at the official launch of the report, Mr Kumar Parakala, KPMG Australia’s India Business Practice National Leader, said there are immediate opportunities which Australian companies can target in next 12 months worth more than $50 billion.

“Some of the larger Australian companies are working in India and some are in the process of entry, but others need to move fast to compete with companies from the UK, USA and Spain which have expertise in this area and are very eager to participate in the Indian market,” Mr Parakala said.

“A large percentage of the investment will come from the private sector including foreign direct investment which, to a large part, is freely allowed in the infrastructure sector in India.

“Opportunities are emerging in the power sector in coal and alternative energy; the transport sector in roads, ports, airports and railways, and for companies that support these sectors such as construction, EPC contractors, equipment and services,” he added.

India has experienced rapid growth at an average 7.6 per cent over the past five years and 9.4 per cent in 2006-07. Australian exports to India are growing in excess of 25 per cent and India’s middle class of over 241 million is putting exciting new opportunities on the radar. For example more than 200 malls are planned for construction in the next 18 months – making India home to the fastest growing mall development in the world.

A number of Australian infrastructure and resources companies are doing business in India. They include Arrow Energy (India) Private Limited; Australian Road Research Bureau (ARRB); BHP Billiton India;

Daryl Jackson Architecture; GHD; Hydro Tasmania; Leighton India; Micromine Private Limited; Rio Tinto India Private Limited; SMEC India Private Limited; Surpac Software (India) Pvt. Ltd; Taiyo Membrane Corporation; Tata BlueScope Steel Limited; and Thiess India Private Limited.

Austrade and KPMG will deliver industry briefings and one-on-one sessions about the report with companies across Australia. Register online at www.austrade.gov.au or call Austrade on 13 28 78.

ENDS

Media contact

Caroline James
Mob: 0413 481 579
Email: caroline.james@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au/mediacentre.