Geelong will host a three-day gathering of business, industry and community leaders this month aimed at strengthening ties between the regional Victorian city and India.
The Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum will bring together representatives from government, education and industry to discuss trade, investment and cultural connections. The event is organised by the City of Greater Geelong in partnership with the Australia India Business Council and follows earlier discussions held at the first Geelong India Business Roundtable in June last year.
City officials say the forum will highlight Geelong’s position as a destination for business, education and tourism while presenting opportunities in sectors including advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, education and film production.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM said the event would help advance links with one of the world’s fastest growing economies.
“We’re a globally connected city and council will continue to advocate for Geelong as a fantastic place to live, learn and do business,” Mayor Kontelj said.
“I made a commitment at the roundtable last year, and by signing the MOU, to build on our relationship with India and explore new ways of working together, so I’m proud to be delivering on that knowing the lasting benefits it will have for our community.”
The gathering forms part of Geelong’s International Engagement Strategy and follows a memorandum of understanding signed last August between the City of Greater Geelong and the Australia India Business Council to promote cultural and commercial exchange.
Several keynote speakers are scheduled to appear during the forum, including AI entrepreneur Aamir Qutub, Darryl Mohr, who co-authored the Australia India Institute report “Advancing High-Performance Sports: Victoria-India Opportunities”, executive chef Manpreet Sekhon, Sunny Singh, who was named Student of the Year, and Child Education and Rights Foundation founder Sunil Bhalla. Aunty Jenny Spice founder Ramneek Wayne will also speak.
The program includes a networking evening at Geelong Gallery sponsored by The Gordon, the launch of the City of Greater Geelong’s 2026 Investment Prospectus, a family tourism presentation with local tours, and a food and agribusiness breakfast hosted by the Geelong Manufacturing Council.
Additional sessions will include an international lunch organised by the Geelong Chamber of Commerce, discussions on manufacturing and innovation, support programs for businesses and start-ups, and education partnerships. A strategic roundtable is expected to identify next steps in strengthening links between Geelong and India.
AIBC national chair Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM said the collaboration reflects growing interest in regional opportunities.
“We’re pleased to be working with the City of Greater Geelong to collaborate and bring together businesses and industries to deliver great outcomes for all,” Mr Gupta said.
“I have been leading delegations to India and telling everyone about Geelong; and arranged for the Indian Consul General in Chennai to join the Roundtable as one of the VIP guests.
“Families, businesses and investors are increasingly looking beyond capital cities to explore opportunities, and Geelong has a lot to offer.”
Population trends are part of the backdrop for the forum. Census data from 2021 shows 17.7 per cent of residents in the City of Greater Geelong were born overseas, including more than 5,000 people born in India, a figure that has more than doubled since 2016.
India is projected to become the world’s third largest economy by the end of the decade, adding further interest in closer ties between regional Australian cities and Indian businesses and institutions.
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