The members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore, had a meeting with Tim Thomas, CEO, Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR), on 20th May 2025 in Coimbatore.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Australia’s economic vision and ambitions to strengthen bilateral relationships with Tamil Nadu, specifically Coimbatore. David Eggleston, Deputy Consul-General, also participated.
During the meeting, Thomas emphasised the deep-rooted connections between Australia and CII. He outlined a broad agenda focused on economic, civic, cultural and sports domains to bridge gaps and build a mutually beneficial partnership.
He highlighted significant collaboration potential in sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, education, travel, defence, space, medical technology, sports and more. He noted that India and Coimbatore in particular, remain under-invested yet highly promising, especially in areas like edtech, manufacturing and innovation-driven sectors. Thomas emphasised the importance of building cultural confidence and facilitating two-way cooperation.
Ashok Bakthavathasalam, Past Chairman of CII Coimbatore Zone, highlighted Coimbatore’s strength as a major economic contributor, accounting for approximately 14% of Tamil Nadu’s GSDP. He noted that core industries such as textiles, engineering, auto components, pumps, switchgears, and valves play a critical role in meeting a substantial share of national demand.
He also pointed to emerging sectors such as EV components, aerospace, and medical devices, which are experiencing rapid growth and contributing to the region’s evolving industrial landscape.
Speaking on the healthcare sector, Ashok Bakthavathasalam emphasized Coimbatore’s robust ecosystem, known for its niche specialties and its ability to attract international patients. He remarked that tertiary care in the city costs just one-tenth of what it does in the U.S., positioning Coimbatore as an attractive hub for medical tourism.
In the domain of higher education, he highlighted existing collaborations with global universities and underlined the city’s strengths in precision manufacturing and agritech. These, he said, make Coimbatore an ideal destination for establishing R&D centers.
He also discussed Coimbatore’s strategic fit within the “China +1” strategy, suggesting the city as a preferred location for global companies looking to diversify their manufacturing and innovation bases.
To strengthen international engagement, he proposed the establishment of a dedicated Australia–Coimbatore Business Forum under the aegis of CII, and invited CAIR to facilitate an Australian business delegation’s visit to explore deeper cooperation.
Finally, Ashok Bakthavathasalam noted the potential for developing Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Coimbatore, citing the availability of a high-quality, affordable talent pool and a strong R&D ecosystem. These factors, he said, position Coimbatore to operate on par with India’s Tier-1 cities.
Both sides expressed interest in student and faculty exchange programs, especially in engineering and healthcare and in expanding internship opportunities. The potential for partnership in the startup ecosystem was also underlined.
Tim Thomas welcomed the proposals and encouraged identifying specific sectors for focused collaboration under the proposed Australia–Coimbatore Business Forum.
On behalf of CII Coimbatore, Ashok Bakthavathsalam, Past Chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone & Managing Director, KGISL; Noushad, Vice Chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone & Managing Director, Walkaroo International; and Dr G Bakthavathsalam, Chairman, KG Group of Institutions, participated in the meeting.
