New Delhi [India], January 25: Rita Saffioti, Western Australia’s Deputy Premier, Treasurer, and Minister for Transport and Tourism, has successfully completed a delegation-led trip to Delhi, which will be followed by a visit to Chennai on January 25. Meetings were conducted with major aviation stakeholders, top government officials, and corporate leaders to promote Western Australia-India ties, with an emphasis on important areas such as commerce, tourism, and aviation. The Deputy Premier’s first aim during her trade trip in Delhi was to promote Western Australia’s tourist industry. India is now Western Australia’s tenth-largest commercial partner.
The Delhi tour was noteworthy because Minister Rita Saffioti attended a number of critical meetings and activities, including conversations with prominent airlines about prospects for collaboration and improved connectivity in the aviation sector. She also met with the chairman of TATA, India’s largest conglomerate, to discuss possible cooperation. The Invest and Trade WA Business Luncheon at the Australian High Commission, as well as the meeting with the High Commissioner, emphasised the commitment to bilateral economic and social growth through tourism promotion in Western Australia, with businesses such as Perdaman Group advocating for this.
Western Australia is rich in essential minerals and has the potential to be a significant generator of renewable energy to help India’s clean energy transition and sustainable development (electric cars). The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has created new opportunities for Australian goods and services exporters by lowering tariffs, allowing Western Australian wine brands to enter the market and opening the door to avocado and rock lobster shipments.
Furthermore, State Significant Projects like as Project Ceres have offered chances to expand the regional supply chain by granting a contract to L&T Energy Hydrocarbon for Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers Pty Ltd. Legacy Iron (a subsidiary of the National Mineral Development Corporation) owns the Mt Celia Project, which is located on the boundary of Western Australia’s East Pilbara and Paterson Provinces. Her visit to India also aimed to emphasise the expanding prospects for partnership and mutual benefit in the mining, primary industries, aviation, and innovation sectors.
Minister Saffioti reflected on his activities in Delhi, saying, “The bilateral meetings with airlines were productive, opening up avenues to further promote tourism to Western Australia.” Our interactions with TATA’s Chairman, High Commissioner, and other industry leaders were instructive. These sessions build the framework for future cooperation, promising significant collaborative prospects while emphasising the potential for economic and social progress between Western Australia and India.”
India is a crucial market for Western Australia, ranking as the country’s tenth largest trading partner in 2022-23, with USD 4.1 billion in products exchanged and an important inbound tourist sector. In the fiscal year ending September 2023, India ranked as WA’s seventh largest overseas market, with 27,000 tourists contributing an estimated USD 91 million to the state’s economy. The mission capitalised on this momentum, increasing Indian tourism and trade in Western Australia.
