The Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC) has launched its East India chapter to forge stronger economic ties between the region and Australia. Based in Chennai, the chamber was established in 1989 to promote bilateral trade between the two countries and so far it is the only trade body to do so.

Australian Consul-General in Calcutta, Rowan Ainsworth, said: “This launch marks not only a new chapter for the IACC, but also a new chapter in business relations between Australia and India.”

She added that Australia would be a partner country for the Bengal Global Business Summit in April this year.

The launch was attended by Firhad Hakim, Bengal minister for transport, urban development and municipal affairs, industry secretary and WBIDC managing director Vandana Yadav and MSME secretary Rajesh Pandey.

Petula Thomas, CEO of IACC, hoped that the East India Chapter would help boost two way trade.

“We see opportunities for trade and investment collaboration in priority sectors like resources and energy, mining equipment technology services (METS) including critical minerals, IT and emerging tech, agribusiness, education and healthcare,” she said.

Speaking at the occasion, minister Hakim sought Australia’s assistance in building a green public transport ecosystem in Calcutta, especially making lithium ion batteries.

Secretary Yadav hoped many business tie-ups will materialise during the upcoming BGBS.