The Hindu : Karnataka News : Ties with Queensland to be strengthened

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Ties with Queensland to be strengthened

By Our Staff Reporter

The Minister for Large-and Medium-scale Industries, P.G.R. Sindhia (right), greeting Peter Beattie, Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade, at the inauguration of the Karnataka-Queensland Trade Forum in Bangalore on Wednesday. Manandi N. Suresh , President of FKCCI, is seen. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

BANGALORE, SEPT. 15. Karnataka and Queensland (Australia) have a lot in common. Both have many opportunities, which need to be developed together. Therefore, the agreement between the two States to set up the Karnataka-Queensland Trade Forum is important, the Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade, Peter Beattie, has said.

Mr. Beattie was speaking at the inauguration of the forum here on Wednesday. The function was organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

The economy of Queensland, Mr. Beattie said, was much like Karnataka's. Queensland, he said, was the engine room of Australia just as Karnataka was for India. Apart from tourism, Queensland was strong in information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT) sectors. Ninety-four per cent of the jobs created in Australia last month were in Queensland. "Both need to continue to expand with jobs and opportunities," he said.

Issues

Water, Mr. Beattie said, was one of the issues Karnataka could work with Queensland closely. India, he said, was like Australia, where there was water scarcity. Queensland, he said, was working on better water management practices. It had many companies that had expertise in water management. "This is something which we are keen to partner for mutual benefit," he said.

Queensland exports to India this year were worth $ (Australian) 1.2 billion (roughly Rs. 384 crores). This included large quantities of coal. India, he said, was its fifth largest export destination.

A parliamentary team from Queensland would visit India later this year to cement further the relations between Australia and India, he said.

FDI

The Minister of Large-and Small-scale Industries, P.G.R Sindhia, said the State Government was committed to industrialisation and it welcomed foreign direct investment. By developing such relationships, the State planned to double its exports in the next five years. The Government, he said, exported products worth Rs. 40,000 crores last year.

The Government was working on improving the infrastructure such as roads in the city and power production. The work on the international airport at Devanahalli would start in the next three months. The Government would double electricity production within the next three years, he said.

Penny Wensley, Australia's High Commissioner in India, Manandi N. Suresh, president of the FKCCI, and industrialists from both sides attended the function.

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