The Queen’s Baton made its way to Australian firm Middletons’ Melbourne office yesterday as part of a networking event which presented an opportunity for the firm to not only host the baton before it makes its way to Delhi later this year but also promote and develop cross-border business through a common love of sport.
The firm played host to the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Building Business through Sport event, organised by Australian business groups such as the Australia India Business Council, of which the firm is a major sponsor.
India group head Cameron Abbott said his firm understands that sport is a big business in both countries. “Both Australians and Indians love their sport including cricket and the Commonwealth Games and many a business deal has no doubt been struck while watching their beloved side win or lose.”
Abbott is certainly on the money. For both Australian and Indian business, India’s growing population of affluent middle class will be a key part in growing their brand power through sport. For example, the brand value of the Indian Premier League is currently estimated to be around US$4.1bn (A$4.43bn).
Abbott’s firm is looking to play a key part in this business of sport: “Sport sometimes presents unique legal challenges, often in the context of public scrutiny that characterises all facets of professional sport,” he said. “We encourage our local clients to look to India when investing or off-shoring work in India because of the similarities of our laws and that fact that India recognises copyright and trade marks – not a luxury available in many countries with a low cost manufacturing base.”
Abbott said he is advising a number of Australian companies, mostly in the logistics industry, going to India ahead of the Commonwealth Games. “We’ve assisted a couple going to India, around the transport and logistics side, and we’re seeing a range of sporting organisations from cricket to football [expressing], interest in the Indian market.”
Past clients of the mid-tier firm’s six-year old India practice have included Oxfam Australia and Monash University.
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