Barry O’Farrell, high commissioner of Australia to India, has appreciated the business operations of Odisha-based National Aluminium Company Ltd and expressed optimism on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the mining, energy and minerals sector, with thrust on aluminium.

A high-level Australian delegation led by O’Farrell visited Nalco’s corporate office at Bhubaneswar on Tuesday and interacted with chairman-cum-managing director Sridhar Patra and members of the company’s management team.

Officials of Nalco, a leading manufacturer and exporter of alumina and aluminium under the ministry of mines, apprised the Australian team about the various business activities of the company, spanning the entire value chain of aluminium manufacturing, starting from bauxite mining to production of world-class aluminium end products.

Nalco, a Navaratna company, is one of the highest net foreign exchange earning central public sector enterprises in the country and is recognised globally for its quality products.

Other members of the Australian delegation included consul general Rowan Ainsworth, Amy Keough, first secretary, Australian High Commission, and Partha Sen, business development manager, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Calcutta.

Radhashyam Mahapatro, director (HR), and M.P. Mishra, director (projects and technical) and other senior officials of Nalco were present on the occasion.