Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 12: The Andaman & Nicobar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ANCCI) had the honour of interacting with Her Excellency Ms. Silai Zaki, the Counsel General of Australia to India, during her visit to Sri Vijaya Puram. The meeting was held at Mansha Palace on 6th November 2025 at 5:00 PM, and was attended by members of the Chamber and leading representatives from the business community.
Welcoming the Counsel General of Australia, Dr. K. Chandrasekharan, President of ANCCI, highlighted the unique geographical position of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and their strategic potential in the fields of tourism and fisheries. He sought Australian cooperation and guidance in developing these sectors sustainably, emphasizing opportunities for bilateral collaboration and knowledge sharing.
During the interaction, members of the Chamber put forth valuable suggestions, including:
• The need for effective measures for crocodile protection in tourism zones.
• The possibility of establishing direct air connectivity between Port Blair and Australia.
• Strengthening institutional coordination between the ANCCI and Australian Chambers of Commerce for trade and tourism promotion.
Our Past president Mr. Surendra Prahladka and various members presented their suggestions which were recorded. Mr. Ratnam highlighted yacht tourism and Mr. Vikash Lall suggested direct flights to Andaman.
Responding to the suggestions, Her Excellency Ms. Silai Zaki expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by ANCCI and assured Australia’s full cooperation in enhancing mutual engagement. She noted that both countries share a warm and friendly relationship and expressed optimism about future collaborations in trade, tourism, and capacity building.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the President, who expressed hope that this dialogue would mark the beginning of a fruitful partnership between Australia and the Andaman & Nicobar business community.
