The Department of Agricultural Marketing and Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, held discussions with a delegation of Australian biomanufacturing companies at Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai under the chairmanship of Shri Jaykumar Rawal, Minister for Agricultural Marketing and ProtocolThe meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation between Maharashtra and Australia in biotechnology, research, trade and investment.
During the meeting, Shri Rawal directed officials to submit a proposal for setting up a Maharashtra-Australia Biomanufacturing Task Force to take these opportunities forward through projects, employment generation and shared prosperityThe proposed Task Force will also focus on joint projects, regulatory coordination and two-way investment between Maharashtra and Australia.
Welcoming the Australian delegation, Shri Rawal discussed opportunities for investment in Maharashtra’s biomanufacturing sector, technology transfer and research cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Ms Preeti Chaudhary, Regional Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Government of India; Ms Kadambari Balkawade, Development Commissioner, Industries; Shri Rajesh Gawande, Chief Protocol Officer; Mr Christian Jack, Australian Deputy Consul-General in Mumbai; Mr Rob Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Eden Brew; Ms Lucy Semenec, Chief Executive Officer, Nouvera Bio; Mr Lewis Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Hygiene Renewables; Ms Michelle Wooster from Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator; and Ms Gayatri Subramaniam from Food Standards Australia.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra has developed as the country’s industrial and economic powerhouseShri Rawal noted that the State Government is committed to making the state’s development more sustainable through biotechnology, innovation and bio-based solutions in agriculture, food processing, textiles and energy.
Australia has world-class capabilities in science, technology, capital and research, while Maharashtra has a large market, skilled manpower, strong infrastructure and manufacturing capacityThese complementary strengths can be used to develop value chains that benefit both Maharashtra and Australia.
Highlighting the potential in biomanufacturing, Shri Rawal referred to areas such as precision fermentation-based biological colours, alternative proteins, algae-based products and hydrogen production from agricultural waste.
Australian companies were encouraged to undertake pilot projects in Maharashtra, commence production and subsequently expand their operationsAt the same time, efforts will be made to provide companies and researchers from Maharashtra with access to markets, technology and partnership opportunities in Australia.
The proposed Maharashtra-Australia Biomanufacturing Task Force will identify joint projects, coordinate on regulatory matters and take forward investment in both directionsThe meeting also focused on closer cooperation between regulatory authorities and research institutions in the food and biotechnology sectors in India and Australia.
Shri Rawal emphasised that the objective is not limited to Australian investment in Maharashtra, but to develop a two-way partnership covering technology, trade, research and investment.
At the outset, Chief Protocol Officer Shri Rajesh Gawande delivered the introductory remarks and provided information on various projects in Maharashtra.
