Why India
For Australian companies in critical technology sectors like AI, cyber, quantum, fintech, healthtech, and medtech, the value propositions for engaging with India differ from traditional tariff-based trade. The advantages are driven by India's massive and rapidly digitizing market, advanced technical talent pool, and supportive government initiatives that foster collaboration and investment.
-
Artificial intelligence (AI)In 2025, 73% of Indian businesses plan to expand their AI adoption, a rate significantly higher than the global average
-
collaborative funding: The Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership (AICCTP) provides grants for collaborative projects, including AI, to shape global technology norms.
-
targeted investments: The Indian government's National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA) is backed by an investment of AUD $1.4 billion, signaling a strong commitment to building a domestic ecosystem
-
Australian investors have directed over US$2 billion into Indian fintech in 2024, with major banks like ANZ and NAB actively engaged in partnerships to leverage India's innovation.
Relevant stories:
Why Bangladesh
Australia’s exports to Bangladesh have grown significantly, driven by booming student numbers and Ready-Made Goods (RMG) sector inputs. Merchandise trade remains highly concentrated among exporters, highlighting scope for broader and deeper sectoral engagement.
Bangladesh’s resilient GDP growth, large and youthful population (66% at working age) indicates strong economic opportunity in the face of recent political instability, energy shortages and import restrictions which have dampened short-term confidence. Bangladesh has a population 1.7 times that of Vietnam, in less than half the geographic land size.
- Bangladesh's fintech ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation, fueled by a young, tech-savvy population, rising smartphone and internet penetration, a large diaspora and migrant workforce, a growing freelancer community, and proactive government initiatives. The sector is projected to expand from $1.6 billion in 2020 to $12.1 billion by 2030, highlighting its growing role in national economic development. This expansion occurs against a backdrop of 169 million mobile subscribers and 120 million internet users, creating a fertile environment for digital financial solutions. Mobile Financial Services (MFS) remain the most mature segment, with market leaders like bKash and Nagad playing a pivotal role in driving financial inclusion by catering to the unbanked population
- Bangladesh’s healthcare system operates on a mixed public-private model with a decentralized public infrastructure and a rapidly expanding private sector
- two of the most promising subsectors of the country’s healthcare system are Pharmaceuticals and Medical equipment and devices
- 24 specialized hospitals (Public) covering a wide range of care: Heart, Gastroliver, Burn and Plastic Surgery, Cancer, Kidney, Eye, etc.
- Bangladesh's cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the nation's push toward digitalization and a corresponding surge in cyber threats. Significant developments in governance, legislation, and market growth characterize the current environment, while challenges persist in infrastructure and skilled human resources it is projected to reach $358.58 million by 2029, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.12% from 2025 to 2033.
Why Sri Lanka
With a population of 21 million people and a land mass similar in size to Tasmania, Sri Lanka is a country growing in economic importance in the South Asia region. The Sri Lankan government, via its "National Digital Economy Strategy 2030," aims to increase the digital economy's contribution to $15 billion by 2030. This is a massive leap from the current contribution of around $3.7 billion and demonstrates the national commitment to digital integration.
- In 2024, Australian exports to Sri Lanka totalled A$1.9 billion
- platform as a Service (PaaS): This market is projected to see a robust CAGR of 23.75% from 2025 to 2030, with the market volume expanding to $319.71 million by 2030
- dedicated budget: In 2025, the Sri Lankan government allocated an initial $10 million (3 billion Sri Lankan rupees) toward digital transformation initiatives. This shows a tangible financial commitment to achieving its digital goals.
Why Nepal
Nepal's technology market offers significant opportunities for international companies, primarily driven by a growing IT outsourcing sector, an increasing digital economy, and a young, skilled workforce.
- Cloud computing: The public cloud market is growing rapidly, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.80% between 2025 and 2030. International cloud service providers have opportunities to offer tailored solutions to meet the increasing demand from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the finance, healthcare, and education sectors
- AI and machine learning: With companies like Fusemachines already present, the interest and demand for AI/ML solutions are growing. There is a rising need for technologies that can enhance efficiency and automate business processes.
For online exporter advice: The Go Global Toolkit
