Eight Indigenous-owned Western Australian businesses will travel to India this week for a historic First Nations Business Mission to explore opportunities in the nation’s booming mining sector.
Led by the Perth USAsia Centre, CCIWA and the Indigenous Emerging Business Forum (IEBF), the seven-day mission is the first of its kind to India.
The delegation will visit Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata – India’s mining heartland – where the businesses will showcase their innovation and capability at the International Mining, Equipment and Minerals Exhibition (IMME), the nation’s largest mining conference.
The eight businesses were selected from a strong field of applicants in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector. The CCIWA-powered Aboriginal Business Directory WA was used to promote the opportunity through a curated expression-of-interest process.
Throughout the mission, delegates will meet Indian businesses, industry groups and government representatives, forging vital trade and investment connections.
CCIWA Head of International Trade Michael Carter says the mission will create direct opportunities for Indigenous businesses in India’s expanding resources industry.
“India’s mining industry is turbo-charging its economy – now is the time for Western Australia’s world-class mining and services sector to get involved in this dynamic market,” he says.
Perth USAsia Centre Research Director Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy says India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of the decade.
“There is huge opportunity stemming from India’s growth, so it’s vital that First Nations businesses are part of the growing Australia-India trade and investment relationship,” she says.
IEBF CEO John O’Driscoll says the mission marks an important milestone.
“This gives Western Australia’s First Nations businesses the chance to showcase their excellence to the world,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to taking part in the mission, and to seeing participants grow their businesses into the export market.”
The initiative is fully funded and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as part of its commitment to an inclusive international trade agenda that drives growth for all Australians, including First Nations people.
The WA delegation
The eight WA businesses joining the mission are:
- Electric Power Conversions Australia (EPCA) – retrofits diesel mining trucks to full electric.
- Woollhara Group – manufactures sustainable cleaning products for the mining sector.
- Carey Mining Group – WA’s largest 100% First Nations-owned business providing mining services.
- Bunbara – female-led engineering services provider.
- Safespear – supplies safety equipment and testing services.
- Reels Manufacturing Group – produces conveyor products and systems.
- Moombaki Indigenous Technical Supply and Services – delivers technical services and equipment.
- The Cryogenics Group – supplies gas and cryogenic services.
A growing trade partnership
India is one of WA’s fastest-growing export markets, with exports in the past 12 months (August 2024-25) valued around $7 billion – up 26% from the previous year.
India’s expanding mining sector and decarbonisation policies are driving strong global demand for high-quality METS businesses to help boost productivity and safety – an area where WA businesses punch above their weight globally.
Negotiations for the Australia-India Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (CECA) are ongoing and aim to build on the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022.
CECA is expected to expand market access and strengthen collaboration in sectors such as critical minerals, agricultural technology, platforms to support startups and small to medium businesses (SMEs), and sport.
CCIWA’s International Trade Services team helps businesses reduce the time, cost and risk of going global. Contact the team for a free consultation on 08 9365 7620 or via [email protected].
