India emerged as a preferred destination for investment in Australia. By 2017, Australia invested 14 billion dollar in India, said Consulate General of Australia, Kolkata, Andrew Ford here on Tuesday.

Ford said Australia plans to increase its investment in India to 100 billion US dollar by 2035.

Attending an interaction session organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Ford urged the businessmen of Odisha to come forward and invest in sunrise sector of Australia for better return.

He told, “In Ease of doing business ranking we are among the Top 20 countries. If somebody wants to invest in any project in our soil, I assure you here, we will provide all kind of handholding that is required for successful implementation of projects.”

Australia Trade Commission’s Business Development Manager Partha Sen said, “We want now to strengthen our relationship with India not only in trade side but also in economic, culture and diplomacy side.

On trade side our focus now is on new sectors apart from the metal and mining sector where both countries are enjoying a robust relationship. Education, infrastructure, ports, fintech, renewable energy, industrial park and healthcare are new areas we want to strengthen our relationship in.”

Other dignitaries present at the interaction session include Co-chairman of ICC Odisha State Council JB Pany, unit head of AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, Dr Anuj Tiwari, Chiarman of Swosti Group JK Mohanty and other eminent business leaders of Odisha.