The solid trade and investment links between the Australian State of Victoria and the Middle East are set to be boosted even further with the return of Victoria Week this week.
Victoria’s exports to the Middle East and North Africa in 2013 totalled A$2.8 billion, an increase of eight per cent on 2012, and this week’s series of events and activities – which brings focus to the trade and investment ties – is set to capitalize on the State’s strategic relationship with the region.
Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Employment and Trade, Louise Asher, will officially launch Victoria Week at a gathering with business and government leaders in Dubai tonight. The event will also include an exclusive networking function for Victorian alumni.
Minister Asher led Australia’s largest ever trade mission to the Middle East earlier this year with over 170 Victorian companies and more than 250 delegates participating.
Representatives from nine Victorian business sectors, including defence, equine, higher education and vocational education and training, food and beverage, agribusiness, tourism, marine, infrastructure and water visited the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey as part of the mission.
The mission followed a year after the Victorian Government’s Super Trade Mission to the Middle East in 2012 which resulted in immediate sales of A$18 million and projected exports to the region of up to A$240 million over two years.
“Victoria is implementing a planned, strategic approach to engagement with this key region and while Victoria already boasts strong links that have been developed and harnessed for over 15 years, there is still work to be done to further develop the huge potential that exists across many industries.
“Victoria is looking to deepen and strengthen its engagement and collaboration with our partners here and we are continuously seeking ways to pursue new areas of opportunity that will bring mutual benefits to this region and the State of Victoria,” Minister Asher said.
This week will see Minister Asher lead a delegation of Victorian businesses across key sectors including agriculture, food and beverage, as well as the fashion industry.
Celebrity chef George Calombaris, a host of the popular Australian Master Chef, will also return to Dubai where he will be the star attraction at Put Victoria on Your Table, an event which will showcase the very best of gourmet Victorian food and beverage to the UAE’s business community.
Tomorrow will also see Victoria host the inaugural Women in International Business Forum which will include some of the UAE’s leading women business figures discussing the key issues and developments in women doing business in the Middle East.
This is the second year running the State Government of Victoria has brought Victoria Week to the Middle East.