Brisbane’s foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy is ranked second in the Asia Pacific region, according to the Financial Times fDi Magazine, the world’s pre-eminent business and globalisation title.
The fDi Magazine released the ‘Asian Cities of the Future 2009/10’ study in its December / January edition, ranking the economic, business and financial strengths of 133 cities across the Asia Pacific region.
Brisbane’s second ranking in the ‘Best FDI Strategy’ category follows Hong Kong in lead position, a city that has more than five million residents than Brisbane and 26 investment offshore offices. Brisbane was also ranked tenth in the overall ‘Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future’, making it the first time the city has been ranked in the study.
Brisbane Marketing’s Investment Attraction division leads the FDI strategy for Brisbane in conjunction with Brisbane City Council, and managed the City’s submission for the study.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said Brisbane’s second place ranking reflected the fact Brisbane was now seen as a world-class destination for business and investment.
“Businesses are attracted by Brisbane’s highly skilled and creative workforce, consistently strong economic performance, high population growth and our relaxed lifestyle,” Cr Newman said.
“Brisbane’s diverse economy has benefited strongly from BCC’s 8-strong Sister City relationships which have netted us millions of dollars in overseas business and the foreign investment activities undertaken by Brisbane Marketing, such as our work with Seattle and Spanish cities.”
Brisbane Marketing’s Investment Attraction division is charged with attracting inward investment and managed Brisbane’s submission for the ‘Asian Cities of the Future 2009-10’ study.
Investment Attraction Director, Daniel Havas said the agency is continually refining its FDI strategy to help Brisbane capture investment opportunities within a rapidly changing economic landscape.
“Brisbane’s ranking in this study is a tremendous result given the size of our city compared with others in the top ten,” Mr Havas said.
“This is also a great example of how robust Brisbane’s FDI strategy is, especially when many of the top ten cities in the list have investment offices around the world.
“Brisbane Marketing has sharpened its FDI focus in the Asia Pacific on areas such as life sciences, clean energy, food and beverage and information communication technology. These sectors are expected to expand dramatically as Asia’s rising middle class will stimulate further demand,” Mr Havas said.
Australian cities Melbourne and Perth were also ranked in the FDI category, taking fourth and eighth place respectively.
The study was published in the fDi December/January edition and will be distributed at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland in January.
(Source: brisEnews: Issue 68 )
View
Metro Hotel Tower Mill
