Australia to take up public relations campaign

KOLKATA: The Australian government has decided to take up a comprehensive public relations campaign to offset any potential negative impact on business relations with India following the string of racial attacks on Indian students Down Under. The move is a sign of the growing seriousness with which Australia is now looking at the problem which threatens to spill over into the growing business and trade engagement between the two countries. The campaign will be unveiled over the next three to six months.

"We are in the process of collecting facts and figures about Indian companies in Australia and also about Indian companies that are keen to invest in Australia but could be wary of doing so, given the recent problems. We have spoken to the Indian High Commission in Australia and to the Consul General ," Peter Linford , senior trade commissioner -South Asia for Australian Trade Commission said.

He was responding to ET's specific query on whether the racial attacks on Indian students had cast a shadow on bilateral business relations between Australia and India. Some 65 Indian companies across a gamut of business sectors have a presence in Australia. Existing companies of Indian origin in Australia have so far not faced much problems doing business in Australia.

However, some of the new investors could be apprehensive in the face of such attacks which Mr Linford said could be more of a social issue in that country. Austrade's eleven offices in India will start a dialogue with prospective Indian investors in Australia and try to find out negative instances which have deterred these companies from going to Australia.

"We will facilitate interaction between people of both countries across sectors like business and even in media . This will hopefully help them to get a first hand experience of the reality on ground in both countries. I am confident the whole exercise will have a positive fallout," Mr Linford added.

"We will be looking at five broad areas of business. This includes Mining Resources and Energy, Services, --legal, educational, financial, entertainment and sports. Other areas are, Building Construction and Infrastructure -- both public and private infrastructure, Technology and Advanced Manufacturing which includes IT, Avionics as well as Food and Beverages, including agri businesses.

Mr Linford said A growing number of Indian mining companies are agressively pitching for investment in Australia in what marks India’s deepening engagement in the global minerals market. Mr Linford was in the city with the Australian mining mission to India which coincides with 3rd Asian Mining Congress between January 25-28, 2010.