THE DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs and Trade is launching the Australia India Business Exchange (AIBX).

The initiative is to provide businesses in both nations with market insights and connections to foster commercial partnerships that will help generate jobs and business opportunities in Australia and India.

According to DFAT, AIBX is to help Australia’s premium food, beverage and consumer product providers to access e-commerce channels to offer Indian consumers greater access to our high-quality products.

The program will also support services and technology providers to grow partnerships and build resilient supply chains in the mining, resources and infrastructure sectors.

Minister for trade, tourism and investment Dan Tehan launched the program and said the two countries already share common values, interests and histories, and the AIBX will strengthen that friendship.

“AIBX presents opportunities to build on our close people-to-people ties and shared vision for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Tehan said.

“AIBX will give business owners the confidence and capability to engage across our two markets.”

India was Australia’s eighth largest trading partner and third-largest market for services export in 2019-20. Two-way goods and services trade totalled $26.2 billion in 2019-20, and the two-way stock of investment was $36.7 billion in 2019.

AIBX delivers on commitments in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the government’s response to the India Economic Strategy. The 2021 program will be overseen by Austrade and include virtual events, in-market activities and online resources to support Australians and Indians throughout the business exchange.