Japan And Victoria Talk Major Business Investment

Victoria is set to receive a major boost to business and investment relations with one of its major trade partners as more than 200 Japanese corporate leaders visit Melbourne for the 54th Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference.

The three-day conference brings together leading representatives from Japan and Australia to explore how to jointly tackle the biggest economic challenges and opportunities facing the Asia Pacific region.

Premier Daniel Andrews today addressed the delegation, welcoming the opportunity to build stronger networks with our Japanese business partners that will open more doors for new jobs and investment in Victoria.

Japan is one of the largest international investors in Victoria, with more than 170 Japanese companies currently operating across the state, each supporting more than 10,000 jobs.

Recently, a number of Japanese investors have expanded their operations in metropolitan and regional Victoria, including Kagome Australia, KAITEKI Fresh, Rinnai Australia (a subsidiary of Rinnai Japan), and retail giants Uniqlo and MUJI.

Japan is also Victoria’s third largest trading partner, with merchandise exports alone valued at $1.4 billion last financial year.

This year’s conference in Melbourne comes less than two weeks after the Premier’s visit to Japan where he met with some of Japan’s most senior business executives and celebrated the 40th anniversary of Victorian Government representation in Japan.

The visit also highlighted the strength of the relationship, with the Labor Government working to drive new collaboration in health and medical research, new energy technology, food and agriculture, transport technologies, and creative industries.

The theme of this year’s conference is New Challenges – New Ideas, with the main program supported by two investment forums in infrastructure and food manufacturing and agribusiness.

While the conference joins a growing list of world-class events being held in Melbourne this year, it also coincides with another big-ticket blockbuster for Japan and Australia, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier.

The Socceroos will take on Japan at Etihad Stadium this Tuesday 11 October.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“Japan is one of our most valuable trade and investment partners, with Japanese companies employing thousands of Victorians.”

“This week provides a great opportunity for us to show why Victoria is a magnet for global business investment and boost our already strong relationships with one of the region’s most dominant players.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“Victoria is leading the country in business and investment growth, but we need to think bigger to be bigger.”

“That’s why it’s important we continue to build on the important business relationships that will help build Victoria’s economy and create jobs into the future.”