Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: Government of Victoria, Australia, in partnership with Austrade under the leadership of Dr Monica Kennedy, Minister-Commercial and Head of Austrade, South Asia, has taken a significant step towards strengthening bilateral trade in the wool sector. The initiative, earlier headed by Michelle Wade, Commissioner of South Asia, was coordinated by Gopi Shanker, Director, Global Trade, Victoria.
A 40-member Australian wool growers delegation, led by Alister Carr of Fox & Lillie Australia (which acquired Karee Wool in September 2024), visited Ludhiana’s leading wool manufacturing facilities, Monte Carlo Fashions Limited and Sharman Shawls. The visit, facilitated by technical partners Technisch Kaizen Services Private Limited in collaboration with the Knitwear and Textile Club of India, focused on exploring new opportunities for Australian wool in India.
Annil Suri, Director of Trade and Promotion at the Knitwear and Textile Club, highlighted key industry challenges, emphasizing the high cost of the Woolmark franchise (Rs 7.5 lakh per year). He urged Austrade to address this issue to encourage more Indian SMEs in Ludhiana and Jammu & Kashmir to continue using pure wool instead of shifting to alternative fibers.
Dr Navneet Kaur, Director of Public Relations and Exhibitions, stressed the need for consumer awareness regarding the Australian Woolmark for better quality recognition. She proposed collaborative events, exhibitions, and conclaves between Indian and Australian industries to promote sustainable products.
Additionally, Gurneet Singh, Director of Projects and Consulting, emphasized the importance of technology collaboration in wool processing to enhance production. He advocated for incorporating Australian innovations into Ludhiana and Jammu & Kashmir wool clusters through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to boost wool imports and expand India’s export potential.
The discussions concluded with Michelle Wade expressing Austrade’s commitment to working closely with the Knitwear and Textile Club and their technical partners. Mementoes of appreciation were exchanged between Austrade and Indian representatives to promote sustainability and inclusivity in trade.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Michelle, complemented by Gopi Shankar, marking a step forward in strengthening Indo-Australian cooperation in the wool industry.
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