Australia will be leading its first ever First Nations Business Mission to India this month, in an effort to strengthen trade and investment opportunities between Australia’s First Nations peoples and India’s mining and renewable energy markets. 

Eight Australian Mining Equipment, Technology and Services companies (METS) will travel to Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata from 26 October to 3 November to foster relationships and explore partnership opportunities. In an historic first, all eight of the businesses are Australian First Nations-owned.   

Australian First Nations – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – are one of the oldest continuous civilisations on Earth, extending back over 65,000 years. They were Australia’s first diplomats, traders, innovators and knowledge holders. The eight businesses on the delegation continue this proud tradition of innovation and creativity.  

Led by the Perth USAsia Centre and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia on behalf of the Australian Government, the delegation represents the very best of Australian ingenuity and drive in a variety of sectors from converting diesel mining vehicles to electric, to producing chemicals to improve fuel efficiency, to safety, industrial gas, engineering and technical services. 

Commenting on the visit, Australia’s High Commissioner to India H.E Mr Philip Green OAM said “As part of our efforts to progress Indigenous rights globally and help grow First Nations trade and investment, Australia is committed to supporting Indigenous Australians to benefit from India’s dynamic economy.  India offers an enormous opportunity for Australian First Nations industries, whether it’s exporting agrifood and native botanicals, art, design, or developing cyber, clean energy or mining solutions. The Australian Government is proud to support this landmark business mission, connecting First Nations excellence to the extraordinary Indian businesses driving growth in one of the world’s largest economies.” 

The delegation will visit Mumbai (26-28 October) and New Delhi (28-30 October) before travelling to Kolkata (30 October – 2 November), where the businesses will showcase their expertise and innovation at India’s largest mining conference, the International Mining, Equipment and Minerals Exhibition. 

Media enquiries:  
Mr Vineet George – Australian High Commission +91 99909 97437 
Ms Alison Savage +61 400 303 182 / alison.savage@cciwa.com