The Australia India Business Council (AIBC), the peak body representing bi-lateral trade and investment relations between Australia and India, has capped off its recent AIBC NSW Annual Australia India Address 2017 dinner on 21^st of September, 2017 at Hyatt Regency in Sydney. The annual flagship event this year featured a keynote address by Honourable Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian and His Excellency High Commissioner of India in Australia Dr A.M Gondane during which great positivity and renewed enthusiasm for the Australia and New South Wales bilateral relationship with India was expressed.

The Keynote Address, delivered by Honourable Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian, to over 300 business leaders was brilliant. Her plans for India visits and the NSW Government’s commitment to this relationship wereheartening.

The address delivered by His Excellency HighCommissionerofIndiainAustralia Dr A.M Gondane was clear in the approach India has taken, in understanding and seeking answers to fast track this bilateral business relationship. He requested the business leaders to come forward and collaborate with India. India has specific demands, which Australian businesses could fulfil, and Dr Gondane was keen to see this bilateral business relationship take off, as it has huge potential.

The Q&A session with NSW Premier and facilitated by AIBCNSWPresident Kylie Bellprovided the opportunity to hear Honourable Premier’s views on the state of matters before her India trip.

During Sheba Nandkeolyar’s AIBCNationalChair speech, she spoke about why it is so crucial for Australian businesses to engage with India.

“Start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurial culture are at their best in India, so why not collaborate and build partnerships across the two countries? I was particularly pleased to meet an all-woman start-up in Bangalore when I visited India during the Australia Business Week in India. A neo-natal health start-up, led by four young women with a combined age of under 100 years was an absolute eye-opener and a lightbulb moment for me to experience the entrepreneurial and youth potential that India represents.”

The launch of the AIBC Young Business Leaders National Chapter was announced by Ms Nandkeolyar. The Chapter is a new initiative that will be led by Rubal Walia of PwC, and will have representation across all states.

During her speech, Ms Nandkeolyar also shared the success story of an Australian company – Riverina ROBE – who have launched in India, and have already carved out their product placements in 20,000 outlets.

The event also featured speeches by AIBC partner sponsors – CBA’s LexThornton, AustralianSuper’sRoseKerlin and nib’s JohnPaulKelly.

BarbaraWardof San Foundation, DarrenRudd of TCS and Margaret Faux of Synapse Medicalare some of the corporate table sponsors who have been longstanding supporters of AIBC, and were acknowledged.

The evening’s entertainment highlighted India’s cultural heritage and dance traditions, and was provided by the Indian Consul General’s office along with a Vote of Thanks by AIBC NSW Vice President.