Announcing a slew of partnerships, including in biotechnology and energy, Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Monday announced $25 million aid to India over the next five years for bilateral collaboration through the Strategic Research Fund and Exchange Scholarships.
The two countries would be signing an MoU to foster research cooperation in biotechnology, the visiting premier said, addressing Indian industry captains at a conference organised by business chambers CII, FICCI and Assocham.
Mentioning that Australia has become a hot favourite among Indian tourists and entertainment industry, Howard said: "To facilitate this growth, I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will allow Indian citizens to access our tourist e-visa scheme."
Referring to the large global increase in demand for energy like LNG and tight international resources, he said:
The establishment of the Australia-India joint working group on energy and minerals would be an 'important vehicle to address trade and investment issues in the sector, exchange information on policy developments and identify possible commercial outcomes.'
"Our trade relationship is still maturing, and much more could be done to further facilitate and diversify two way trade and investment," Howard said, adding that further relaxation of barriers that hinder free flow of goods and investment would allow markets to prosper and expand the economic complementarities between the two countries.
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