An Australian infrastructure, building and construction industry mission visited India from December 7–11, 2009. The Australian mission— Cityscape Infrastructure Mission, 2009—is a part of the Australian Government’s Utsav Australia programme, which aims to raise awareness about Australian business and industry amongst the Indian business community. Utsav Australia is intended to raise awareness about Australia’s capabilities and showcase Australian expertise across a wide range of sectors to further strengthen Australian exports and investments in India.

The mission, which featured a broad cross-section of Australian companies with expertise, products and solutions in infrastructure, buildings and construction, visited New Delhi and participated in the Cityscape exhibition in Mumbai. The Australian companies that participated at the mission offered a wide variety of service expertise in spaces such as civil engineering, project construction and development; architecture and design services; operations, maintenance, asset and project management services; facility integration; construction cost management consultancy as well as project-modelling solutions. The latest in building maintenance units, environmentally sustainable light-weight building systems, emergency escape devices for high-rise buildings, infrastructure and construction projects were also on display.

Australia is at the forefront of constantly evolving technological standards in the international infrastructure, building and construction industry. Accounting for nearly 7 per cent of the Australian GDP, and employing 9 per cent of the total workforce, Australia’s construction industry has rigorous building standards, which offer local companies a unique competitive advantage and world-wide recognition. Australian firms have significant expertise in offering cutting-edge solutions, products, technologies and services in the areas of building materials, construction products, architectural and design services; construction engineering and project integration services; construction project management; technology for construction management; sustainable design and development and green buildings. These forms have expertise in the construction of civil engineering projects around key infrastructure sectors—railways, roads, water and waste water, sports infrastructure and airports, as well as other residential, retail and commercial property developments.



Australian expertise in building products and materials range from the supply of building and construction inputs such as steel, structural metal, plaster, timber products, cement, lime, concrete, paint and bricks plaster; heating and insulation products; interior finishing products such as flooring, ceilings, architectural mouldings, coatings and paints; kitchens, bathrooms and laundry equipment and furniture; landscape and outdoor products; electrical and lighting products; windows, doors and glazing. The firms are proficient in green building and energy-efficient products and technologies—solar technologies, water-saving systems, harnessing waste energy, water and waste recycling; building security systems and rapid building systems. The event consolidated potential opportunities for Indian infrastructure, building, construction, architecture and design firms, allowing them to seek niche Australian technologies, products, expertise and solutions through partnerships with Australian firms.

According to Peter Linford, Senior Trade Commissioner, South Asia, Australian Trade Commission, “On account of its vast geographic spread, harsh environment and varied terrains and climatic conditions, Australia has a unique experience in building and construction projects, driven by the country’s self-sufficiency in managing complex projects. Australia is also at the forefront of sustainable green building, beginning its journey towards becoming a green building nation in 2000, when Sydney hosted the world’s first ‘green’ Olympics. Australian architects and engineers are playing a major role in helping to shape the sustainability credentials of the Commonwealth Games 2010 (CWG) in New Delhi. Infrastructure and construction are the key drivers for India’s growth, and Australia can provide value-added competitive solutions and expertise.” He opined that there were tremendous opportunities for joint ventures, collaborations, technology transfers, investments and tie-ups between Australian and Indian companies in this sector.