The wool industry discussions between Austrade and Indian textile leaders have made notable progress, with key stakeholders from both nations engaging in bilateral talks aimed at fostering growth in the sector. The Government of Victoria, Australia, in partnership with Austrade, led by Dr. Monica Kennedy, Minister-Commercial and Head of Austrade, South Asia, has been pivotal in advancing this collaboration. The initiative, formerly spearheaded by Michelle Wade, Commissioner of South Asia, and coordinated by Gopi Shanker, Director of Global Trade, Victoria, demonstrates the growing importance of the wool trade between Australia and India.
A 40-member delegation of Australian wool growers, led by Alister Carr of Fox & Lillie Australia, which recently acquired Karee Wool, visited key wool manufacturing hubs in Ludhiana, including Monte Carlo Fashions Limited and Sharman Shawls. This visit, organized with the technical support of Technisch Kaizen Services Private Limited and in collaboration with the Knitwear and Textile Club of India, highlighted the significant potential for expanding the Australian wool market in India.
Several key industry challenges were discussed during the visit:
- High Cost of Woolmark Franchise: Annil Suri, Director of Trade and Promotion at the Knitwear and Textile Club, expressed concerns over the high cost of the Woolmark franchise (Rs 7.5 lakh annually), which poses a barrier for Indian SMEs, particularly in Ludhiana and Jammu & Kashmir. He urged Austrade to help address this issue, to ensure the continued use of pure wool in the Indian market.
- Consumer Awareness and Quality Recognition: Dr. Navneet Kaur, Director of Public Relations and Exhibitions, emphasized the importance of increasing consumer awareness of the Australian Woolmark, which stands for high-quality wool products. She proposed organizing collaborative events, exhibitions, and conclaves between Indian and Australian industries to promote sustainable wool products and better educate consumers on the advantages of Australian wool.
- Technology and Innovation in Wool Processing: Gurneet Singh, Director of Projects and Consulting, advocated for greater collaboration on technological innovations in wool processing. He emphasized the need for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to incorporate Australian innovations into Indian wool clusters, particularly in Ludhiana and Jammu & Kashmir, to boost production and strengthen India’s wool export potential.
The discussions concluded with Michelle Wade reaffirming Austrade’s commitment to supporting the Knitwear and Textile Club and their technical partners in fostering sustainable trade. Mementoes were exchanged to mark the event, symbolizing the shared vision for sustainability and inclusivity in the wool industry. The efforts undertaken by both nations represent a significant step toward strengthening Indo-Australian cooperation in the wool sector, with opportunities for growth through shared innovation, trade facilitation, and market development.
