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Victoria Secures Prized Japanese Trade Forum

06 October 2015

Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas today announced a major boost to trade and investment relations between Victoria and Japan, with confirmation that the 54th Australia-Japan Joint Business Conference will be hosted in Melbourne in 2016.

Speaking at this year’s joint conference in Fukuoka, Japan, Mr Pallas said many of Japan’s corporate leaders would travel to Melbourne next year to engage with government and business leaders.

Mr Pallas said the conference presented a perfect opportunity to reinforce links between Victoria and one of its most important investment and trading partners.

Japan is the third largest international investor in Victoria, with more than 140 Japanese companies operating in Victoria and employing more than 10,000 people state-wide across a range of industries.

Japan is also Victoria’s third largest export market, with the state’s exports to Japan for this same period valued at $1.82 billion.

Melbourne is also the corporate headquarters to Japanese titans Mitsui and Mitsubishi.

In recent times, a number of existing 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.

During his trip, Mr Pallas has also met with key financial institutions, discussing new opportunities for investment in Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government is driving economic growth in Victoria by fast-tracking infrastructure projects, investing in industry sectors that are primed for growth, and reskilling workers.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas,

“Securing the 2016 conference gives us a great opportunity to build on our strong relationship and showcase the excellent investment opportunities we have in Victoria to Japan’s biggest businesses and investors.”

“This is proof of the strong business climate that exists in Victoria, which we’re committed to supporting.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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