Geelong will host leaders from business, industry, government and the community at a three-day forum this month to strengthen its relationship with India.
The Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum, hosted by the City in partnership with the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), will showcase Geelong as Australia's leading city to live, learn and do business and highlight our key sectors – advanced manufacturing, education, tourism, agribusiness and emerging film industry.
Keynote speakers include: AI entrepreneur Aamir Qutub, co-author of the Australia India Institute report "Advancing High-Performance Sports: Victoria-India Opportunities" Darryl Mohr, executive chef and "Curry Queen" Manpreet Sekhon, Student of the Year Sunny Singh, Child Education and Rights Foundation (CERF) charity founder Sunil Bhalla, and Aunty Jenny Spice founder Ramneek Wayne.
The forum takes place almost nine months after the successful first Geelong India Business Roundtable in June.
It progresses Geelong's International Engagement Strategy and delivers on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in August by the City of Greater Geelongand AIBC to strengthen cultural and trade links.
Program highlights include:
- Consul General of India in Melbourne Shri Anish Rajan
- networking evening at Geelong Gallery sponsored by The Gordon
- official launch of the 2026 City of Greater Geelong Investment Prospectus
- family tourism presentation and local tours
- Geelong Manufacturing Council food and agribusiness breakfast
- Geelong Chamber of Commerce international lunch
- plenary sessions on advanced manufacturing and innovation, support for industry, business and start-ups, and education
- strategic roundtable to design next steps for the Geelong-India relationship.
Building a respectful and reciprocal connection with India reflects population trends and economic potential in Greater Geelong, as one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia and Victoria's second-largest city.
The 2021 Census showed 17.7 per cent of people in the City of Greater Geelong were born overseas, with 5,097 residents born in India – more than double the number recorded in 2016. Meanwhile, India is projected to have the world's third-largest economy by the end of the decade.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
We're a globally connected city and council will continue to advocate for Geelong as a fantastic place to live, learn and do business.
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.
AIBC national chair Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM
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.
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.
The Geelong-India Collaborative Futures Forum is being delivered in conjunction with event partners, Geelong Manufacturing Council and Geelong Chamber of Commerce; with valued support of Cultura, The Gordon TAFE, The Geelong Gallery, Geelong Regional Library Corporation, Deakin University, Regional Development Victoria, Global Victoria, Victoria State Government, Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong, Fibre-TechSolutions, Manufutures, Enterprise Monkey, National Indian Film Festival of Australia, Aunty Jenny Spices, Newland Global Group, Innovation Game Changers, DotInfinity, Jiwan, Elstone Diving Services, Merv Jennings Signs, Platform Arts, Total Events, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, Child Education and Rights Foundation, Tourism Geelong and The Bellarine, and National Wool Museum.
