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4 minute read
India Technology Hub Summit
Mrs. Sheba Nandkeolyar, Former National Chair, Australia India Business Council and Founder and CEO, Multi Connexions Dr Ashutosh Misra, Editor-in-Chief, India News and CEO, Institute for Australia India Engagement
The high-impact India Technology Hub Summit was conducted successfully on 7 July 2021 at the Quest Hotel at Springfield Central by the Springfield City Group and Australia India Business Council (AIBC) with wide participation of stakeholders from Australia and India connecting the Indian tech companies with the Springfield City Group and AIBC. Key stakeholders included Tech Mahindra, TATA Consulting Services (TCS), WIPRO, Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL), Infosys, and NSDL eGovernance and 3 Dot Digital among others. The Summit discussed a range of opportunities and possibilities for Greater Springfield and build the tech and innovation hub. Export Council of Australia, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Business Council of Australia shared their insights on the scope of international business and investments between Australia and India.
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His Excellency Manpreet Vohra, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia underlined the growing Australia-India trade and investment relationship. India News Australia participated as the media partner and was represented by its Chairman and Publisher Ram Mohan and Ashutosh Misra, along with Agastya Yeturi, India News cinematographer. The Summit was moderated by Jim Varghese AM, National Chair, AIBC Australia India Business Council.
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Dr Nik Senapati, President AIBC Queensland Chapter and Dr Ashutosh Misra (R), E-I-C India News and CEO, IAIE
Launching the Summit, the Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby rightly stated, “What binds us together is what we are all about today – and what binds us today will be the increasing trade opportunities and cultural sharing between Australia and India. Information and technology is one form of trade that will certainly fast track this relationship.”
Senator Paul Scarr emphasised that this burgeoning relationship was limitless including the global talent visa system and advocacy for India as the way forward. Federal MP for Oxley, Queensland Milton Dick strongly urged more action, more content, more dialogue between businesses to fast track this bilateral relationship, which was later seconded by HE Manpreet Vohra.
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Mr Bob Sharpless (L), Deputy Chairman Springfield City Group and Dr Maha Sinnathamby as well as the various incentives that the Queensland Government had in place for prospective businesses and investors.
Charis Mullen State MP for Jordan, Queensland highlighted how locations such as Springfield can play a major role in facilitating the bilateral business and investment relationship. Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding reminded the delegates of the unique opportunities that Springfield and Ipswich offer for investors. Former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and current Chancellor, University of Queensland Peter Varghese AO illuminated the importance of science and technology being at the forefront of this bilateral relationship, as highlighted in his India Economic Strategy to 2035.
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HE Manpreet Vohra presenting his remak
India’s former Secretary (East) Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, the author of Australia Economic Strategy, drew attention to how India was simplifying the business environment for prospective investors. The Australia Economic Strategy has underlined joint opportunities, especially in the areas of cyber security, data analysis, cloud and fintech. He called for Australian and Indian policymakers to consider setting up a joint innovation fund.
HE Manpreet Vohra in his brief remark spoke about more business meetings and engagements to facilitate this bilateral relationship and flagged the possibility of a free trade agreement and discussions commencing shortly.
In addition, C. P. Gurnani, CEO and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra and Girish Ramchandradas, President, Asia Pacific, Tata Consultancy Services, admired the visionary outlook that Indian IT companies bring to the table and noted their contribution to economies across the world. Jim Varghese shared the views and flagged that Australia can certainly play a pivotal role in setting up operations here and expanding globally.
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Dr Maha Sinnathamby delivering his remarks. Also in the picture Milton Dick Federal MP and Charis Mullen State MP for Jordan
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Dr Maha Sinnathamby (L) and Senator Paul Scarr
In the session on Industry perspectives, Ted Burgell, Senior Advisor Global Engagement, BCS laid emphasis on the need for changing mindsets of Australians about doing business with India – and reiterated that with the rise of Asia especially in IT, India remained central and well positioned in this relationship. Dianne Tipping, Chair, ECA and Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI, both highlighted the immense trade opportunities between the two sides, especially the opportunities for manufacturing in India, Smart Cities, and Logistics. “COVID has changed everything, and most businesses have gone digital, which puts IT at the heart of any industry,” said Dilip Chenoy.
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India News Chairman Dr Ram Mohan (L) and Ms. Raynuha Sinnathamby is the Managing Director of Springfield Land Corporation
Jim Varghese, added that it was heartening that Austrade was addressing perceptions and driving an understanding of contemporary India in Australia as well as driving business and investment opportunities that Indian businesses have in Australia.
Deputy Chair of Springfield Bob Sharpless very eloquently presented to the audience the value proposition that Springfield offered especially to IT companies from India and Australia, and shared that Springfield was aiming to achieve a zero-net energy target by 2038 (produce as much energy it consumed). Ashok Mysore, IT Chapter Chair, AIBC, while moderating the session on strategies, highlighted the importance of technology and Indian companies’ contribution to the Australian and globally economy and growth.
This was followed by the last session covering future goals for Australian and Indian companies for growth featuring Vikram Singh, Country head, TCS; Sarah Adam-Gedge, Country Head, Wipro; Michael Horton, Executive Vice President, HCL; Andrew Growth, Senior Vice President and CEO, Australia and New Zealand and Industry head, Financial Services Infosys, Asia Pacific; and Jeff Ferdinand, Senior Vice President and Country Tech Mahindra. The session emphasised on the need for government and academic collaboration and the role of New Colombo Plan program in nurturing future leaders in the field. The session made a significant point about the lack of talent in Australia in IT and why growing business and trade collaboration in the sector is needed to address that gap.
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Mr Jim Varghese, National Chair, AIBC moderating the Summit