MENA and India

The Dubai office, covering the Middle East and North Africa, as well as India, is headed up by Sidharth Mehta, Regional Director for MENA and India.

The central location of Dubai is fundamental to increasing South Australia’s international trade, supporting exporters to access markets across the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as India.

To provide in-market support within India, Varun Anthony, the Business Development Manager, is based in New Delhi and believes there are huge opportunities for South Australian businesses looking to enter or expand within the market.

Primary contacts

Sidharth Mehta

Sidharth Mehta

Regional Director - MENA and India


With more than 12 years of international trade and investment promotion experience, Sidharth has worked across government to government and business to business trade and investment portfolios. He has produced B2B intelligence and networking platforms in the Middle East and Asia for various sectors of growth.

Contact

+971 56 501 3684 sidharth.mehta@austrade.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General, Burjuman Business Tower, Level 25, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road - Bur Dubai Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Varun Anthony

Varun Anthony

Director (India)


Varun has spent 12 of his 15-year career in international trade and market development, growing the Indian market for export-ready companies who have chosen to do business with India. Varun has one mantra for export-ready companies and companies that are new to export markets; ‘India is a market filled with opportunity and generously topped with challenges, but it is the market of the future and a market for the long run – so be patient, do not look at India as a ‘one off sale’ market but look at it as the market for the long run. Patience will yield you success like no other international market has done before’.

Contact

+91 11 45756208 varun.anthony@austrade.gov.au

Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), Australian High Commission, 1/50 G Panchsheel Marg, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India.

Overview


The MENA and India region presents unlimited opportunities for South Australian companies exporting agricultural produce, agri-processed products, education services, medical and healthcare and advanced technology driven industries.

With one of the world’s fastest growing economies, the largest democracy in the world and a rapidly growing population of 1.3 billion, India stands as one of the most opportune markets for South Australia. Opportunities for South Australian exporters lie in the food and agri-business sector, energy and mining, defence, health and medical industries, hi-tech and international education.

Both Sidharth and Varun are able to provide an array of services to South Australian exporters which include in-market intelligence, introduction to key importers and distributors, facilitating trade through online digital platforms as well as trade exhibitions and B2B meetings.

Sector opportunities


With an open trade policy, the food, wine and agribusiness sector is highly competitive, but for South Australian exporters, opportunities do exist in most food categories. 

With tourism and emerging affluence, there has been a shift in food habits, with openings in ready-to-eat food, processed food and soft drinks.

With a growing demand for high-quality education and skills training in India, there are opportunities for South Australian international education providers, vocational education trainers and researchers to tap into.

Across MENA and India, opportunities exist for exporters within medtech, research and development and training and skills development within the health and medical industries sector.