Australia India Bi-lateral Collaboration: ECTA Opportunities for Industry and Academia

During the roundtable, Prof. Sridhara Murthi K.R welcomed relevant stakeholders involved in Australia-India collaboration. Participants shared introductions and engaged in discussing how to foster greater cooperation between Australian and Indian businesses, entrepreneurs, and academia.

The main focus was on creating pathways for collaboration and economic cooperation towards a common goal. Some key action points emerged from the discussion:

• Governments in Australia and India should explore how education can facilitate scaling up skills, taking inspiration from initiatives like Australia's Future Skills Initiative.
• Instead of duplicating efforts, it is essential to tailor approaches to the specific needs of India and Australia, enabling them to act as platforms or ecosystems for each other's requirements.
• Recognizing India's young and skilled population, priority should be given to upskilling Indian students through high-quality Australian vocational training and education programs.
• The Australia India Business Council aims to raise awareness and advocate for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) while ensuring that businesses truly benefit from it.
• The recently enacted Free Trade Agreement is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two nations, offering ample opportunities for both India and Australia to meet each other's needs.
• Leveraging the FTA, the government should explore ways to expand opportunities and enhance relations between the two countries.
• The Education, Skills, and Employment Cooperation Training Agreement (ECTA) has injected new energy into the India-Australia relationship, benefiting both nations in the areas of trade, education, and employment.
• Partnerships and pathways in education should be emphasized, with a focus on integrating essential skills into educational programs.
• Special attention should be given to the healthcare and manufacturing sectors to further strengthen collaboration.
• The discussion also addressed how the new cooperation agreement would create opportunities for Indian and Australian startups by establishing a favorable framework.

By implementing these action points, both Australia and India can unlock significant potential for mutual growth and prosperity in various sectors.