The Northern Territory Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kerala State Government, India, in a bid to develop economic, social and cultural relationships between the two regions.
It is the first MOU the Northern Territory Government has entered into with an Indian state, and formalises and reinforces the relationships between the two jurisdictions, the NT’s deputy chief minister said today.
“The Northern Territory has a vibrant Indian community, and the signing of this agreement helps strengthen the economic, social and cultural relationships between both our regions,” said Nicole Manison.
“We have a strong and growing community from Kerala living across the Northern Territory who are making an enormous contribution every day. We want more families from Kerala to bring their high skill sets here and call the Northern Territory home.
“This MOU will build cooperation in allied health workforce training and development, higher education and vocation education and training, and trade development.
“I look forward to deepening the relationship between the Northern Territory and Kerala, as it moves from strength to strength.”
India is one of the top 10 trading partners of the Northern Territory and a priority market in the Northern Territory Government’s International Engagement Strategy 2022-2026.
There are over 500 Indian students currently enrolled at higher education and vocational education and training providers across the Territory – the NT’s second largest international student market.
“We want to keep growing this important international education market,” said Ms Manison.
She said the MOU is underpinned by a Plan of Action to grow bilateral relations and promote prosperity between our two regions.
Key areas of cooperation in the Plan of Action include:
- workforce training and development including but not limited to health care;
- higher education and vocational education and training;
- economic development including two way trade.
