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"SPECIAL MEETING WITH MR. MICHAEL MOIGNARD" ( May 29, 2008)
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Mr. Michael Moignard (second from left) with the Chamber Executive Council Members.
The Executive Council of the Chamber had a special meeting to honour Mr. Michael Moignard, Senior Trade Commissioner of Australia in New Delhi, who visited Chennai prior to his departure to Australia after completing his assignment in India. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of Sundaram Business Services.
Mr. Moignard along with Mr. Aminur Rahman, Australian Consul General and Trade Commissioner for South India, was received by Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director; Mr. P.S. Raghavan and several Executive Council members of the Chamber. In his opening remarks, Mr. Sarat Chandran remarked that it was during Mr. Moignard’s term in India, the Indo-Australian business relations saw a major upsurge and Mr. Moignard played a significant role in this development. He also mentioned that it was during his tenure that the Australian Prime Minister, Hon. Mr. John Howard, visited Chennai and addressed the members of the Chamber.
In his reply, Mr. Moignard mentioned that he has served India two terms for a total of six years and that was one of the most productive years of his carrier. “I am leaving India now, but India will never leave me”, he added.
On behalf of the Chamber, Mr. P.S. Raghavan, presented a memento to Mr. Moignard, as a token of his close relationship with the Chamber during his years in India.
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Workshop on "AUSTRALIAN VISA PROCEDURES AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES" ( May 23, 2008)
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The Chamber organized a highly successful and well-attended Workshop on Australian Visa Procedures and Business Opportunities on May 23 at Hotel Residency Towers, Chennai. Over 60 delegates participated in the Workshop.
Inaugurating the Workshop, Mr. Aminur Rahman, Australian Consul General and Trade Commissioner of South India, observed that Australian firms are keen on providing Indian firms with their technical expertise in infrastructure, banking, insurance, education, health and medical tourism and corporate training. “An infrastructure fund of $3-5 billion was created to develop ports, roads, airports and townships in India”. He also mentioned that a Free Trade Agreement between India and Australia is under discussion.
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Ms. Lyn Reitana, Principal Migration Officer, Australian High Commission, New Delhi, made a presentation on Australian Business Visa Procedures, the documentation required and various kinds of forms to be used. Under these guidelines, there is a clear distinction between short-term business visa and long-term business visa depending upon the duration of the visit and the objectives for which the person is traveling to Australia. She mentioned that most of the business visa applications received positive responses and only a small number of cases are rejected.
Mr. Subba Rao Varigonda, Managing Director of IPP Technologies, one of the most successful software development companies in Australia, talked of his company’s steady growth in the past 15 years and how the company is now establishing bases outside Australia, not only in India, but also in Singapore, Philippines and Gulf region.
Ms. Sheena Joshi, Commercial Lawyer, representing one of Australia’s most distinguished law firms, Atkinson Vinden, explained in detail the legal and commercial processes of establishing a business in Australia and the different kinds of legal entities that Indian companies can choose from and the requirements for each of them.
Ms. Rajini Reddy, Director of RR Infotech, made a presentation on the recent expansion of the company to Australia and New Zealand with a focus on knowledge-based outsourcing projects like e-publishing, legal support services, document management and accounting functions.
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Mr. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, made a presentation on “Business Opportunities and Strategies for Indian companies in Australia” and gave a wide range of effective methods and guidelines for succeeding in the Australian market. He suggested a 3-way strategy -
a) Start with some effective desk research on Australian business environment b) An initial testing of the Australian market through participation in Delegations and Exhibitions and c) Establishing a long-term base in Australia through a company owned facility or through a tie-up with an Australian organization.
The Workshop also saw the presentation of two case studies, first by Mr. Arun Kumar, Head-Quality Control, Peninsula Food Products, on their product, Moolgiri Rice, which is now sold through Australia’s major chain-store, Coles and is well received by the consumers in Australia.
In the second case study, Mr. M Maniraj, Senior Manager-Marketing of Marg Limited gave details of Swarnabhoomi, the special economic zone, which is emerging as a well-structured streamline in the neighbourhood of Chennai.
Earlier, in his Welcome Address, Mr. Sarat Chandran, observed that in the past 6 months, 18 Indo-Australian business deals have taken shape. “There are over 4,000 IT and BPO firms in Australia. Our objective is to bring to India at least 1% of them in the next one year. That is an achievable goal”, he said.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. P. Gopalakrishna, Secretary of the Chamber.
The Workshop was co-sponsored by Marg Group and Sundaram Finance Limited.
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"A TEAM OF YOUNG AUSTRALIAN LEADERS COMES CALLING" (April 23, 2008)
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As a young leadership takes over Australian government, and as the nation gets closer to China and India, there is a growing interest among the younger generation in the country to look at opportunities in the region. A 15-member Delegation representing Australia Asia Young Leaders Program, visited Chennai on 23rd April and at a Seminar organized by Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce, members interacted with several young leaders from the corporate community in Chennai and expressed the view that young minds and brains will set the pace for future relationships between India and Australia.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Monika Wheeler, Senior Adviser of Ministry for the Status of Women of Australian Federal Government, observed that “India is incredibly dynamic and has limitless opportunities”, and as a young bureaucrat, she will take back images of a fast changing economy and society well in tune with the twenty first century values. Her colleague, Mr Jason Collins, who has been active in both Australian politics and business, felt that the visit was an enormously learning experience and there was not a single day when the Australian Press does not carry some interesting news on India. He also observed, “the Indian expatriate community in Australia is widely regarded for its diversity of skills, work ethics and its intellectual properties”.
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 (L to R): Mr Jason Collins, Board Member, Australia Asia Young Leaders Program; Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber; Ms. Monika Wheeler, Sr. Adviser, Office of the Minister for Housing & Status of Women; and Mr. Aminur Rahman, Australian Consul General and Trade Commissioner, Chennai |
Mr Aminur Rahman, Australian Consul General and Trade Commissioner, Chennai, observed that there were over 60,000 Indian students studying in Australia and this is a great investment India is making for its future growth.
Mr Kalyan Jhabakh, a distinguished lawyer, representing Surana & Surana International Attorneys, in his rich presentation on “Doing Business in India”, observed that India’s Reform Process has significantly liberalized most sectors for foreign investment and in many cases, applications can be made on-line and clearance will come within 15 days.
Mr Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, in his welcome address, stated that Indian minds are now setting benchmarks all the way from Silicon Valley to Walls Street and beyond. He also stated that Indo-Australian relationship is now evolving into a new architecture with a significant shift from Commodities to Services like IT, BPO, Bio-Technology and Knowledge Process Outsourcing. |
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Mr P Gopalakrishna, Secretary of the Chamber, while proposing the vote of thanks, said that the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce is organizing a Workshop on “Australian Visa Procedures and Business Opportunities” on 23rd May, 2008 at Chennai in association with Australian High Commission, New Delhi.
Members of the Mission:
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Workshop on "OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIAN PRODUCTS IN AUSTRALIA" ( March 25, 2008)
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Mr. T.C. Venkat Cubramanian, Chairman & Managing Director, Export-Import Bank of India, delivering the Inaugural Address at the Workshop. Seated (L to R) : Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, Mr. Aminur Rahman, Trade Commissioner and Consul General of Australia for South India; and Mr. P. Gopalakrishna, Secretary of the Chamber. |
“Indian businesses need to develop more specific export strategies and find niche markets for their products to stay competitive in the global scene”, said Mr. T.C. Venkat Subramanian, Chairman & Managing Director, Export-Import Bank of India, while delivering the Inaugural Address, at the Workshop organized by the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce on “Business Opportunities for Indian Products in Australia” on 25th March 2008 at Hotel Comfort Inn Marina Towers, Chennai. The Workshop focused on Garments, Home Textiles, Fabrics, Leather, Coir and Handicrafts.
Mr. Subramanian encouraged Indian exporters to look to new markets like Australia, but asked them to develop specific strategies and conduct detailed market research instead of merely relying on favourable currency fluctuations. |
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“The sectors such as textiles, garments, leather, fabrics and handicrafts need to build a strategy based on their strengths. They should work towards strengthening supply, improving technology and developing an export strategy, for instance, by identifying specific target countries,” he added.
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Mr. Aminur Rahman, Trade Commissioner and Consul General of Australia for South India, was the Guest of Honour. He observed that the Indian Government needed to better facilitate exporters by helping to raise the profile of Indian businesses in Australia. Ms. Banita Leong, Director of VISION TRANZBIZ, a consultancy firm based in Melbourne, and her colleague, Mr. Sampath Kasirajan, conducted the Workshop. Ms. Banita has helped a number of Indian companies to find a foothold in the Australian Market. Their first presentation focused on “Australian Business Environment & Indian Products” and second on “Social Entrepreneurship and Australian Market”. The interactive sessions produced wide ranging discussions and provided valuable insights on the marketing deficiencies of Indian products around the world. Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, observed that in spite of globalization, markets are country specific and culturally sensitive. He also explained the services offered by the Chamber in helping Indian companies to find markets in Australia. |
Ms. Banita Leong, Director of Vision TRANZBIZ, making her presentation at the Workshop. |
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The Workshop also had several other well structured presentations:
Prof. Mathews Abraham, Associate Professor, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai on “Export of Fashion Wear and the role played by NIFT”.
Ms. Lori Pinheiro, Consultant, Farida Shoes, Chennai, on “Australian Market for Leather Products”
Mr. K. Muthukumaran, Chief General Manager, Export-Import Bank of India, Chennai on “Linking Rural India to Global Market”
Mr. M. Sudhakaran Pillai, Joint Director, Central Institute of Coir Technology, Cochin, on “Export of Coir Products”
The presentation evoked lively interaction. Over 50 delegates participated the Workshop, which was co-sponsored by Coir Board and EXIM Bank. ************************************
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"EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL DAY OF THE CHAMBER" ( February 05, 2008)
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Australia plans to expand its presence in Southern India as part of its new Labour Government’s focus on the Asian economies, according to Mr. John McCarthy, Australian High Commissioner to India.
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H.E. Mr. John McCarthy (center), High Commissioner of Australia in New Delhi, is seen with (L to R): Mr. K.M. Mammen, President; Mr. N. Srinivasan, past President; Mr. P. Gopalakrishna, Secretary; and Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, at the 18th Annual Day of the Chamber.
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While addressing the members as Chief Guest at the 18th Annual Day of the Chamber held on February 05, 2008 at Hotel Taj Cormandel, Chennai, H.E. Mr. McCarthy said the new Australian Government headed by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd intended to intensify its relationship in Asia, especially with the growing economic powers of India and China, which are also gaining influence in global politics. “India was the first major country that our new Trade Minister, Mr. Simon Crean, visited…This shows the sense of our priorities,” said the High Commissioner.
Mr. McCarthy pointed out some of the key sectors where mutual co-operation and expertise can be utilized for the trade development between the countries. If India deregulated the mining sector and allowed foreign direct investment (FDI), there is a great potential for Australian mining companies to invest in India. At the same time, both the countries had already agreed to cooperate, among other areas, in the energy sector also, where there was scope for sharing of clean coal technology, in which the Australian experience was relevant. The other key area, where McCarthy saw scope for further Australian investment and interest was in the financial services sector.
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“It is not just the banking sector, but also in fund management, where we feel the Australian companies can make real contribution to the Indian economy,” he said.
Earlier, while welcoming the Chief Guest and the invitees, Mr. K.M. Mammen, President of the Chamber, observed that of the 11 billion Australian dollars traded between India and Australia, almost 10 billion is in Australia’s favour, leaving only one billion in India’s favour. In case of China and Korea, the trade gap with Australia is significantly less and we need to look at where India lags in this respect.
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Mr. C. Sarat Chandran, Director of the Chamber, in his perspective on India-Australia Trade Relations, pointed out the reasons for the failure of Indian exports to make an impact in Australia. Some of the important facts include first, almost 50% of the Indian companies, whose export had a major failure in packaging and labeling which do not meet Australian standards. Secondly, in spite of our talk on globalization, markets are country specific and culture sensitive. Thirdly, Australia is an intensely brand conscious country and India has not created a single brand in any product of international acceptance. Finally, cross-country trade is not a finished product, but a work-in-progress and innovation at every stage is very essential.
Mr. N. Srinivasn, past President of the Chamber, in his concluding remarks, observed that the Chamber has been playing an increasingly important role in promoting business relations between India and Australia.
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A section of the audience at the 18th Annual Day of the Chamber |
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The Annual Day meeting attracted wide participation and was extensively covered by the press and media. The event was co-sponsored by Coastal Energy Pvt. Ltd, Chennai. ************************************
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