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119868
Sun, 05/02/2010 - 18:22
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Australian Trade Minister on six-day visit to India

Natasha Chaku
Melbourne, May 2 (PTI) Australian Trade Minister Simon
Crean will embark on a six-day visit to India to boost trade
ties and discuss the feasibility of a Free Trade Agreement,
besides reviewing security arrangements for his country's
contingent for the Commonwealth Games.
Crean's visit is being seen as an attempt to take the
Australia-India trade ties to a new level.
"The Government has put India in the front rank of our
international partnerships," he said in a statement.
Crean will visit New Delhi on Monday where he will be
briefed on the on-going preparations for the October
Commonwealth Games, according to a statement on Sunday.
Crean will also travel to Mumbai and Hyderabad during his
six-day visit and will meet politicians, banking and business
leaders to discuss trade relations with Australia's fourth-
largest export market.
He said the visit comes at a "crucial time" with booming
trade in the resources sector and investment between the two
nations.
There is also great potential to extend the export market
in areas including services, agriculture, manufacturing and
renewable energy, he said.
"The complementarities between our economies point
towards a closer trade and economic partnership," he said.
On Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
issued an alert, warning of possible terror strikes in Delhi.
The Minister, however, has decided to go ahead with the trip.
Crean will discuss the finalisation of the bilateral FTA
Feasibility Study in meetings with his counterpart, Indian
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma.
"This will be my third visit to India and comes at a
crucial time with booming trade and investment between the two
nations and an opportunity for even greater growth".
"My visit will strengthen that partnership and lay the
groundwork for continued growth in trade and economic
relationship," he said.
Crean will meet the Chairman of the Organising Committee
of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games Suresh Kalmadi, to be
briefed on preparations for the October 2010 event.
"The Games will be a great event for India and New Delhi
and we look forward to Australia sending its largest
Commonwealth Games team ever," he said.
"Part of discussions will be security arrangements for
Australians representing Australia at the Games. We are
pleased with cooperation so far and these talks will continue
with the Games less than six months away," he said.
In Delhi, besides discussing the FTA feasibility study,
Crean will meet ministers from a variety of portfolios to push
forward the broad bilateral agenda. (MORE) PTI

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