Radio Brisvaani
Brisbane, November 25: The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) Queensland Chapter hosted its Annual Diwali Gala Dinner & End of Year Celebrations on Friday, 21st November 2025, at The Stamford Plaza, Brisbane. The event brought together over 150 government, industry, and diaspora leaders to mark the festive season and reflect on a year of strong bilateral engagement.
The evening was attended by prominent dignitaries, including The Honourable Dr. Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland; Mrs Neetu Bhaagotia, Consul General of India to Queensland; The Right Honourable, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, The Lord Mayor of Brisbane; in addition to senior executives from Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), leadership from corporates and businesses active in the Australia-India corridor and diaspora leaders.
Focus on Queensland-India collaboration
In her address, the Governor of Queensland, The Honourable Dr. Jeannette Young, AC PSM, spoke about her official travel to India earlier this year, where she engaged with leaders in New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru to strengthen Queensland’s global profile and highlighting Queensland-India collaboration opportunities across innovation, health, education, and infrastructure.
Mrs Neetu Bhaagotia, Consul General of India, put the spotlight on India’s growth trajectory and the opportunities for Queensland businesses, while also mentioning key developments in the Queensland-India partnership during 2025.
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, spoke about his strong engagement with the growing Indian community in Brisbane and extended warm Diwali wishes to all attendees.
AIBC’s year of high-impact programs
AIBC Queensland President, Namrata Datt, highlighted the council’s consistent role in fostering the bilateral relationship, a journey AIBC embarked upon 40 years ago.She referred to 2025 being an outstanding year for AIBC members with several new partnerships with leading business chambers and global businesses; and as many as10 events comprising high-impact conferences and industry roundtables, providing opportunities for knowledge, insights and networking.
AIBC Queensland’s key initiatives in 2025 included:
1. The Australia India Address with the Premier, the Honourable David Crisafulli as the Keynote Speaker; also featuring the Indian High Commissioner His Excellency Gopal Baglay; the Queensland Minister for Trade the Honourable Ros Bates;University of Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese; and the launch the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy prepared by Trade and Investment Queensland.
2. Securing the first-ever visit to Queensland by Invest India, the Indian Government’s investment facilitation agency.
3. Partnering with EY India for the Indian Economy & Budget Forum, focusing on opportunities from ECTA.
4. Hosting crucial Industry Roundtables on Sports &Sportstech, Agriculture &Agritech, and Bilateral Innovation & Start-ups with representation from India
5. Partnerships with Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), The Indian Consulate, Business Chamber Queensland, Singapore Airlines and Bravus
The AIBC President also highlighted the important contribution of the Indian diaspora to the Australian economy, specifically referring to this cohort being Australia’s second-largest tax-paying diaspora. She further mentioned a recent DFAT report prepared by the University of Queensland which estimates that a 1% increase in this cohort leads to the creation of 123 medium and 6 large businesses: and has the potential to boost Australia’s exports to India by 0.5% and imports from India by 0.15%.
Industry and corporate presence
The event convened strong business and corporate presence including Platinum Sponsor Singapore Airlines, Business Chamber Queensland, Redland City Council, University of Queensland, Bravus, EY, RSM, HCL, Brisbane Airport, Anteo Technologies, Varuna Biotechnology, Central Queensland University (CQU), ACU, Infravision, Anteo Technologies, JSW Steel, Metamorph Partners, Accor, Port of Brisbane, etc.
Next year, AIBC celebrates its landmark 40th year. It was founded in 1986 by the two Prime Ministers, Bob Hawke and Rajiv Gandhi. AIBC is a not-for-profit, membership based body to promote trade and investment between Australia and India. To know more about AIBC or become a member, visit aibc.org.au.
