Business leaders from across Western Sydney have supported Blacktown City Council to launch Trade Mission India 2019.

Council has partnered with Austrade to invite businesses from Blacktown and Western Sydney to join a trade delegation to India later this year.

Blacktown City Mayor, Stephen Bali MP, said: “Blacktown City has one of the fastest growing economies in Australia, while India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

“Trade between our city and cities across India is a perfect fit.”

More than 100 business leaders from Western Sydney, and officials from neighbouring councils, Austrade and the Indian Consulate attended the launch. There was immediate interest in joining the trade delegation.

Mayor Bali said: “We have partnered with Austrade so we can tap into their vast experience, expertise and network of offices across India. It will dramatically cut the time and effort needed to establish business-to-business connections.”

“Blacktown is home to 360,000 people from 188 birthplaces representing 182 different language groups.”

“Our community is one of the most diverse in NSW and possibly the country, we know that a very large percentage of our population are from the Indian diaspora so it makes sense to build links with India,” said Mayor Bali.

He said there are more than 20,000 businesses operating in the City and Council supported businesses ready to grow.

Council led a similar Trade Mission to Korea in 2017. My Home Living Care Business Development Manager, Fred Cloos, joined the Korean Trade Mission.

“Joining the Blacktown City Council Trade Mission to Korea in 2017 opened a lot of opportunities for our business that we never thought of exploring before.

“We established some key relationships and pursued a business plan which is totally new to our business model.

“I wish Council all the very best on the upcoming Trade Mission India 2019,” Mr Cloos said.

Mayor Bali said Blacktown’s economy is $17.4 billion and Council is determined to support businesses to grow this economy.

“Leading a business delegation to one of the fastest growing economies presents a platform for our businesses to grow beyond our City and the Australian economy,” he said.

Council has called for expressions of interest from Western Sydney businesses to join the delegation.

Expressions of interest can be accessed at https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Business/Trade-Mission-India and close on Friday, 3 May.

For more information email: michael.thomas@blacktown.nsw.gov.au