Victoria State Courts Middle East and India Links

Australia’s Victoria Government is in the midst of back-to-back trade missions in the Middle East and India as it seeks new trade and investment opportunities.

Led by Minister for Employment and Trade, Louise Asher, a delegation of more than 110 organisations is visiting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey.

Asher will then lead more than 100 organisations to Mumbai, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Delhi and Ahmedabad and, for the first time, Kerala.

Trade Missions to the Middle East region in 2012 and 2013 combined generated anticipated export sales of more than $445 million.

A ‘Put Victoria On Your Table’ dinner will be held at Atlantis The Palm this evening, designed to showcase Victoria’s food and beverage, and coinciding with Gulfood, which starts today.

Alongside food and beverage, the Victorian government will seek new opportunities in agriculture, education, urban design, marine and fashion.

Bilateral ties have been buoyed by the Emirates-Qantas partnership and Melbourne is served by one of the Dubai carrier’s 44 A380s. The airline currently operates three daily flights to the city, with the A380 serving as the non-stop one. The two other flights – both 777s – go via Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

“Dubai has won the bid to host the World Expo 2020 which will generate major infrastructure projects across the country and open up substantial opportunities for Victorian companies with expertise in events management, infrastructure and construction,” she said.