Today the National Cabinet announced a temporary reduction by 30 per cent to the number of incoming flights from India and limiting the departures to India amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in returning passengers. The decision is due to sudden increase of COVID-19 cases with more than 314,000 people confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 over the past 24 hours in India.
“Australia India Business Council (AIBC) as a Premier Industry body engaged in many years in Australia India trade, fully shares the Federal government’s concern behind the of temporary reduction of flights to and from India. While this will impact the Indian community in Australia a lot in the short term, AIBC hopes these measures are only temporary. Health should remain as the priority” said Mr Jim Varghese AM, National Chair of AIBC.
Mr Jim Varghese AM stated that “AIBC wants to ensure that the trade and investment in India continues to have the highest level of support across party lines. India is an especially important economic powerhouse for Australia and is part of the Quad. We must deliver on the Modi / Morrison Virtual Summit. We would like to see Prime Minister Morrison’s outcome from the virtual summit held last year effectively implemented. AIBC through its ongoing engagement with its industry partners including Business Council of Australia, Export Council of Australia, and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce of India, INVEST India will identify strategies to minimise the impact on Australia India Trade.”
Mr Jim Varghese AM further stated that even during peak of the Covid 19 lockdown period last year, AIBC has been proactively identifying many bilateral trade and business opportunities with virtual engagements addressing many industry sectors such as Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Education, Health etc. “in fact AIBC believes in pragmatic and resilient approach in such situations and challenges,” said Mr Jim Varghese AM.
Australia India Business Council
AIBC was founded in 1986 and is the only national body representing bi-lateral trade and investment relations between Australia and India. The AIBC is a national membership organisation with active chapters in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra and maintains close relationships with federal and state government agencies, the diplomatic corps and industry bodies, and showcases opportunities to the Australian business community through an active program of events throughout Australia. For further information, please visit www.aibc.org.au