Over 40 Australian mining equipment, technology and services companies have arrived in India to exchange ideas and explore business opportunities at South Asia’s largest industry event from November 16 to 19.
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is hosting the Australian pavilion where players, including LaserBond, Curtin University, and Australian Mining Equipment will exhibit at the International Mining and Machinery Exhibition (IMME) in Kolkata. Over the three days a number of agreements are set to be inked between Australian and Indian companies.
Austrade Trade and Investment Commissioner Denise Eaton said the reputation of Australian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) companies is “going from strength to strength” as the growing Indian industry moves to improve safety and productivity, while opening to the international market.
“Australia’s reputation for clean, safe and quality METS is rapidly growing in India,” Ms Eaton said.
“Supporting Australian METS companies to engage with their Indian resource companies at trade events aims to build on existing momentum and support commercial success.”
India’s vast mining industry is changing fast. Over the past two years, the Indian Government has begun a program of liberalisation and introduced major sustainability reforms in the mining and resource sectors opening new opportunities for Australian METS, explained Ms Eaton.
“Since 2020, our bilateral resource relationship has strengthened with the critical minerals MoU, the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement positioning Australian firms as partners of choice in India,” she added.
The combined METS-mining sector in Australia contribute an estimated 15 per cent of GDP, supports over 1.1 million jobs, almost 10 percent of all full-time employment, including regional and remote communities.
The summit will focus on high priority aspects of the mining business including exploration, ease of doing business, new technology and policy frameworks for sustainable mining and new opportunities in critical mineral and rare earth space and urban mining.
John MacCulloch, International Sales Manager at LaserBond, said IMME “packs a lot of punch” for Australian METs looking to secure a foothold in the Indian market.
The Sydney-based company has developed techniques for extending the life of metal machinery through surface laser treatment. With Austrade’s on-the-ground assistance, LaserBond is set for expansion in India’s gigantic mining industry, which has 1,500 mines in operation.
“India’s mining sector is booming. Strengthened by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, Australian businesses are highly respected for quality, safe products and services and Indian firms increasingly want to do business with us,” said Mr MacCulloch.
“IMME offers exceptional networking opportunities as it brings together key players in the Indian market in one spot.”
IMME 2022 is organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s leading enterprise body. Austrade, in close association with Austmine and Australian State Governments of New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia, are providing support arrangements for Australian participants by way of an Australian pavilion, a coffee lounge and a board room, as well as offering 6 counters for small exhibitors from participating states.