Infrastructure & Economic Governance | Asia Society Skip to main content

Unsupported Browser Detected.
It seems the web browser you're using doesn't support some of the features of this site. For the best experience, we recommend using a modern browser that supports the features of this website. We recommend Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge

  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our Board
    • Committees and Advisors
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Other Information
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
  • Asia 21 South Asia
    • Samavāya: Conversations with Asia 21 Leaders
    • Meet our Asia 21 Fellows
    • Reunion 2021
    • Asia 21 Bulletin
    • Hangouts
  • Gen A
    • Batch of 2022
  • ASPI
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
  • Support
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Members
India
Search
India
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our Board
    • Committees and Advisors
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Other Information
    • Volunteer
    • Contact Us
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
  • Exhibitions
    • Current Exhibitions
    • Upcoming Exhibitions
    • Past Exhibitions
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
  • Asia 21 South Asia
    • Samavāya: Conversations with Asia 21 Leaders
    • Meet our Asia 21 Fellows
    • Reunion 2021
    • Asia 21 Bulletin
    • Hangouts
  • Gen A
    • Batch of 2022
  • ASPI
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Event Recaps
  • Support
    • Become a Member
    • Corporate Members

  • All Posts
  • Event Recaps

Infrastructure & Economic Governance

[L to R] Dr. Rajiv Lall, The Hon. Michael Baird, and James Crabtree in Mumbai on January 13, 2015. (Asia Society India Centre)

MUMBAI, 13 January, 2015 — The Asia Society India Centre in partnership with the Australian Consulate General Mumbai welcomed The Hon. Michael Baird, Premier of New South Wales for a conversation with Dr. Rajiv Lall, Executive Chairman of IDFC, followed by commentary by James Crabtree, Mumbai Correspondent for the Financial Times. The engaging discussion explored the themes of infrastructure, governance, the economic relationship between Australia and India, and what best practices can be gained from the Australian experience.

The evening began with an introduction by Australian Consul General Mark Pierce, introducing Premier Baird, which included his fondness for cricket, and enlightened the audience with a fun fact that the Premier hit a ball out of The Cricket Club of India stadium prior to coming to the programme! Following the introduction, Premier Baird spoke about how New South Wales (NSW) now leads Australia with the strongest economic growth, the second lowest employment rate, the strongest retail sector, and the highest number of new housing approvals. On housing he proposed to make it more affordable by creating enough supply to overtake demand. A pipeline of housing approvals has built up that will boost supply, increase housing affordability, create jobs, and maintain sustainable strong job growth.

An interesting question brought forward by Dr. Lall was: given Australia’s experience in public-private partnership, at what stage should the private sector get involved in infrastructure development? Premier Baird answered with the simple response that a country needs to assess the opportunity and risks, and ensure that people in the government have the skills to orchestrate the logistics and processes between the public and private sector. New South Wales’ India Strategy- recently launched - will help New South Wales and India capitalize on opportunities arising from India’s size and economic growth potential. Ending the conversation on a positive note with regard to India-Australia bilateral relations Premier Baird said, “We are excited to see opportunity and growth with India in the near future.”

Video: Watch the complete programme (1 hr. 28 min.)

Reported by Maneka Chotirmall, Programme Assistant, Asia Society India Centre

In Partnership With:

 

Outreach Partner: 

  • All Posts
  • Event Recaps
About
  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement
visit us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
global network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, D.C.
resources
  • Arts
  • Asia Society Magazine
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video
shop
  • AsiaStore
initiatives
  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Next Generation Fellows
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Asian Women Empowered
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit
Connect
Email Signup For the media
Asia Society logo
©2023 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC