Australia has marked Bengal as a priority state in a list of 10 states and 10 sectors to boost trade and economic ties with India by 2035.

A report by the Australian government, titled “An India Economic Strategy to 2035 – Navigating from potential to delivery”, has projected Calcutta to be on the list of the top 10 fastest growing cities in Asia by 2021.

It has identified sectors such as resources and energy, agriculture, education and healthcare as the key areas of partnership.

On a broader scale, the report has said there was no other market in the next 20 years that offered more growth opportunities for Australian business than India.

“The targets set out in this report would see Australian exports to India grow from $14.9 billion in 2017 to around $45 billion measured in today’s dollars. Outward Australian investment to India is seen to rise from $10.3 billion to over the $100-billion mark, reflecting a transformational expansion of the relationship,” the report said.

“Bengal is a priority state and is definitely on our radar in that investment goal. We have not set state-specific targets. But I see no reason why Bengal should not be right at the top.

We are opening our consulate here. There is a big growing confidence in the environment here,” Rod Hilton, the Australian deputy high commissioner, said at an interactive session

of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.

He added that in addition to opportunities in mining, education and infrastructure, there could be discussions with the state government on skilling and education programmes and where Australia can play its part in bringing technology and skillsets.

The report noted two potentially transformative factors in improving ties — leadership in reforms and enhanced infrastructure in the state. “Bengal deindustrialised under three decades of Left rule. While recent years up to 2018 have seen a measure of political stability and increased growth, a populist style of governance remains. Perceptions of corruption, unavailability of land for industrial development and rigid labour regulations remain,” the report said.