New Delhi: Australia on Wednesday hoped for an “early closure” to the civil nuclear agreement with India as its companies involved in the sector prepared to travel here next week to scout for opportunities for commerce.
The companies will be here to participate in the Australia Business Week to be held between January 12 and 15.
“We are hopeful that it (nuclear deal) will come to an early closure,” Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia in the Australian High Commission Nicola Watkinson said.
“There have been very active dialogues between officials on the necessary safeguard agreements that need to be put in place to start the progression of that trade,” Watkinson added.
The two countries had commenced negotiations for the sale of uranium in early 2012.
The civil nuclear pact will facilitate uranium trade. Australia is known to have 40% of the world’s uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually.
The Business Week will be inaugurated by the Australian Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb.
It will be attended by a 400-member Australian business delegation spread across 14 industry sectors including Agriculture, Education, Sports, Water, Health, Life Sciences, Road Safety, Rail, Tourism, Innovation & Research among others.
“As part of this delegation, we do have a particular focus on uranium and some of our uranium companies will be coming over here to be able to start discussions with Indian business partners about the opportunities in that area,” Watkinson said.
Â