Greetings! I am honoured to be part of the history-making all women leadership team of the Australia India Business Council, along with National Vice Chair, Ravneet Pawha. Our leadership comes at a momentous time in the history of Australia-India relations, with the two countries agreeing on an interim free trade agreement and negotiations underway for an Australia India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. We are excited about the opportunities for Australia and the role of AIBC as the voice for business and an advocate for strengthening economic, social and cultural ties. India is the fastest growing major economy in the world, and Australia has been positioning itself to realise the mutual benefits of growing trade ties. However the relationship between Australia and India is not solely a government responsibility – business must be prepared to step up and it is AIBC’s role to support and facilitate opportunities. The AIBC was established in 1986 by the respective Prime Ministers of both countries of the time – Bob Hawke and Rajiv Gandhi. The history of AIBC and the India Australia story are underpinned by business to business and people to people links. AIBC must be the voice for business and trade, while harnessing the tremendous potential of the diaspora in this critical relationship. Coming out of a successful Internal Business Summit where we hosted Foreign Minister Penny Wong, AIBC has several national and state chapter events planned over the next few months, including Diwali celebrations in October. I have always been a strong supporter of our Indian diaspora and believe AIBC has a role in growing cultural understanding and appreciation to underpin sustainable and beneficial business relationships. It’s why our team is active in the community as well as business – our diaspora is the living bridge with India and crucial to the success of Australian businesses. We’ve included some of those celebrations in this newsletter. Over the next few months we will also host a number of ministerial and business delegations from India. Our newsletter will keep you informed of events and activities. I am also heading to India in coming days to champion the Australia India story in Gujarat. Finally, I thank the outgoing leadership team of Jim Varghese AM and Sanushka Seomangal. They have placed AIBC in a strong position to champion the India Australia relationship. Thank you to all our AIBC members, business partners and sponsors. I look forward to meeting up with all of you in the near future. Jodi McKay National Chair AIBC |