Possibilities - Investment eNewsletter March 2010 - Melbourne Victoria Australia

INVEST VICTORIA NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2010

Dear Investor

Victoria continues to defy the ongoing impact of the Global Financial Crisis with a series of solid economic figures showing a growth rate that far exceeds the national average.

Indeed, Victoria proved to be the economic engine room of the nation last year with a 12.5 per cent increase in construction activity, a 10.6 per cent increase in private capital investment, a 2.8 per cent increase in employment and a 110 per cent increase in the value of building approvals.

International plaudits were heard from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as it cited Australia as a role model on regulatory reform for OECD countries, noting the resilience of Australia’s economy in the face of the GFC, and attributing it, in part, to Australia’s current and past regulatory reforms and strong governance foundations.

Plus, it was no surprise when Melbourne retained its position as one of the top three most liveable cities in the world this month.

Invest Victoria is the investment promotion agency for the State Government of Victoria, Australia.

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In this issue

> Infosys expands Victorian operations with $8 million investment

> Melbourne life sciences research given IBM superboost

> Melbourne remains one of the world’s most liveable cities

> Record investment in Victoria defies national trend

> Research alliance expands Victorian agribio

> International retail giants fast-tracking to Melbourne

> Record crowds at Melbourne’s Australian Open

> Melbourne to host key carbon market event

> Events

Infosys expands Victorian operations with $8 million investment

The growth of the Victorian operations of Indian-based ICT company Infosys has surpassed all expectations, leading to the opening of a new $8 million data centre and the creation of 90 new highly skilled jobs.


		See also: Indian IT software company to establish HQ in Melbourne

		See also: Global software company Attra to expand Melbourne HQ

Melbourne life sciences research given IBM superboost

Melbourne will soon be home to the world’s most powerful supercomputer dedicated to life sciences research, under a new partnership between computing giant IBM and the University of Melbourne.


		See also: Melbourne delivers world-first innovation for human tissue manufacture

		See also: Melbourne scientists progress with malaria research

Melbourne remains one of the world’s most liveable cities

Melbourne has once again been named one of the most liveable cities in the world, ranked third in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) latest liveability survey, released today.


		See also: Victoria leads Australia's GFC recovery


		See also: Most affordable office space in Australia? Melbourne.

Record investment in Victoria defies national trend

New capital investment by private companies in Victoria reached record levels in 2009, increasing by 10.6 per cent over the year, far exceeding the national trend of a 2.3 per cent contraction in private investment.


		See also: Construction boom: Victoria triples national average

		See also: OECD names Australia the model for regulatory reform

Research alliance expands Victorian agribio

A new agreement signed by Dow AgriSciences and the Victorian Government is set to expand agricultural biotechnology research into the drought and disease tolerance of crops, as well as discover potential human health benefits.


		See also: Victoria signs deal to strengthen ties with Japan

		See also: Enhanced trade and investment for UAE – Victoria

International retail giants fast-tracking to Melbourne

Victoria's retail sector is set for a boost, with $191 million worth of proposals being fast-tracked through planning procedures, including an expansion of the German retailer Aldi and a chain of new hardware stores from Woolworths.


		See also: Victorian retail sector ideal for investment

		See also: World's largest PPP underway in Melbourne

Record crowds at Melbourne’s Australian Open

Melbourne has hosted the most successful Australian Open in its 105- year history, with a record 653,860 people attending the two-week grand slam tennis tournament.

		Read More

		See also: Olympic ice sports centre opens in Melbourne

		See also: Melbourne puts right foot forward, securing DanceSport Championships

Melbourne to host key carbon market event

Melbourne will host Australia’s key event for carbon market related business in 2010, Carbon Expo Australasia.

		Read More

		See also: Survey reveals excellent carbon storage potential in Victoria

		See also: New minerals investment potential uncovered in Victoria

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS

Open for Business: New Zealand-Australia Investment Forum

10 - 11 March 2010
Auckland, New Zealand

L ’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival

14 - 21 March 2010
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Shanghai World Expo

1 May - 31 October 2010
Shanghai, China

UPCOMING MELBOURNE EVENTS

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival

12 - 23 March 2010
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

24 March - 18 April 2010
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Melbou rne International Flower and Garden Show

   24 - 28 March, 2010
   Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens
   Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix

   25 - 28 March 2010
   Albert Park
   Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Rip Curl Surf Pro

   30 March - 10 April 2010
   Bells Beach
   Surf Coast, Victoria, Australia

Disclaimer
Invest Victoria provides the above information in good faith. No responsibility can be accepted for changes that may subsequently occur or for errors in information supplied.

Possibilities - Investment eNewsletter March 2010 - Melbourne Victoria Australia - Invest Victoria