By Paul Hemsley

The plan titled the International Engagement Framework Draft India Statement recommends the City of Melbourne focus on its ‘inward investment’ in key industry sectors.

These sectors are sustainability, environment protection services, professional services, education, tourism and creative industries for business development activities.

Future Melbourne (Economic Development and Knowledge City) Committee Chair, Councillor Kevin Louey said this engagement framework would ensure Melbourne’s already “strong working relationship” with India would continue to grow.

“Because we’ve got a draft consultation out, our agreement is now with New Delhi,” Mr Louey said.

The City has had feedback at the early stages giving reasons for relationships or collaborations with Bangalore and Mumbai, Mr Louey told Government News.

“We’re out there and we’re seeking ideas and it's been taken in by the Indian media that we’re actually getting responses from India at the moment,” Mr Louey said.

According to the draft plan, the focus for Delhi will be civic, government, educational and cultural relationships, while the focus for Mumbai will be business and educational partnerships.

Mr Louey said the City is talking about a more civic side of the framework such as exchange of government personnel and student internships.

“We’ve already spent $80000 this financial year, and also the City of Melbourne is more in partnership with organisations such as the Australia/India Business Council, with the community and also the Indian Consulate,” he said.

Mr Louey said Melbourne is one of the leaders in sustainability business and new sustainable technology areas.

“We believe that we can assist and we have been doing some programs with our China relationships as well by some of our industry leaders working together with Indian cities and companies to measure their requirements for new technology,” Mr Louey said.

According to Mr Louey, the agreement will mean the City will be a financial and administrative conduit; where the City can shape the ideas or collaborations that are needed.

“That’s not just for the Indian community, but for the wider community so we can look at the finance, automotive, sustainability areas and work out how we can help them obtain contacts and networks in the Indian market,” he said.

Mr Louey said the City will work with New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore because they are looking for collaborations in Melbourne and can help them with those in “matchmaking networks”.