Ms Hilary McGeachy, Consul-General of Australia to Bengaluru; distinguished guests.
Queensland and India enjoy the closest of relationships based on our shared democratic values.
We also have a healthy obsession with cricket that binds us together!
In Queensland, we revere our own Matthew Hayden’s famous batting prowess.
Likewise, Bengaluru celebrates the magic of legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble – her favourite son – who was often Matthew Hayden’s Test nemesis in India.
But our relationship is based on far more than cricket alone.
India has experienced remarkable growth as the world’s fifth largest economy, with your Gross Domestic Product projected to reach $4.3 trillion, underscoring your extraordinary robust economic trajectory.
India was Queensland’s fourth-largest export destination during 2024, with trade valued at $14.5 billion, driven by exports of metallurgical coal, fertilisers, and agricultural produce.
We appreciate the flourishing partnership between Queensland and India, which continues to expand into emerging and other sectors such as design and construction, technology, and sports capabilities.
I particularly want to recognise the transformative impact of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. This has eliminated tariffs on over 85 per cent of Australia’s goods exports to India since 29 December 2022, with phased tariff eliminations for lentils, cotton, nuts, fruit and vegetables, wine, and resources.
There remains significant potential for technology exchanges and partnerships between Bengaluru’s vibrant tech ecosystem and Queensland’s industries.
As Queensland prepares to host the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for a global audience, these opportunities will only grow.
Queensland is very aware that Bengaluru is the ‘Silicon Valley of India’.
This presents ongoing opportunities for technology-driven collaborations with Queensland.
Our state has strengthened its tech collaboration with Bengaluru-based Sonata Software, which has its Australian headquarters in Queensland, offering IT solutions and digital transformation services across various industries.
Additionally, Infosys, headquartered in Bengaluru, has a strong presence in Queensland with over 250 staff, while Axiom Holographics is here too and does wonderful work pioneering advanced holographic technology for immersive experiences.
Karnataka is also home to several prominent Queensland companies.
These include Frosty Boy, which operates an R&D centre focused on innovative dessert and beverage solutions, and I’m sure you’ll agree – Frosty Boy’s products are perfect for India’s climate.
The success of these businesses across a breadth of sectors highlights what can be achieved through collaboration.
In fact, it is this very quality that underpins our state and country’s close connection with India itself. I am sure that each of you here today know that effective working partnerships come from exchanging expertise and knowledge, and sharing a determination to generate positive change.
Thank you for welcoming us so warmly and please make the most of the networking opportunity this event provides to further strengthen the connections between our two countries.
