Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb in India to negotiate on trade talks
In order to boost the commercial trade ties with India, Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb has arrived in India yesterday for a three day visit. The minister will also will also attend the Australia-India CEO Forum at the invitation of the co-chairs, Rio Tinto CEO Sam Walsh and the Chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani. Andrew Robb will also discuss progress of the ongoing negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which both countries aim to ink this year. As per reports, the eighth round of negotiations is set to take place in New Delhi in July. “Both the countries have agreed to work towards concluding the CECA in 2015 to increase trade and investment, promote job growth and fuel prosperity for both our countries,” said Robb. The Trade Minister added that, “With Australia and India’s top business leaders contributing to the Australia-India CEO Forum, we are committed to building and expanding our trade and investment relationship and together we will drive our future economic engagement.” This is Robb’s third visit to India. Earlier this year in January, he visited India for the Australia Business Week in India (ABWI) with 450 Australian business leaders while in April, he was here for the inaugural of Global on Exhibition Services in New Delhi. In 2014-15, India-Australia bilateral trade locked at USD 13 billion. Australia is India’s 20th-largest trading partner whereas India is Australia’s 12th largest partner. Minerals, pearls and ores are Australia’s top export to India. However, Australia mainly sources dairy and agro products from India.
June 22, 2015 | 05:47 pm IST.
to success.