Victoria's relationship with the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye
The Middle East, Africa and Türkiye are important economic partners for Victoria. Many countries in the region are experiencing strong economic and population growth and are engaging more and more in global markets.
Opportunities exist for Victorian companies across a range of sectors, including food and fibre, international education, water technology and METS.
The Middle East, Africa and Türkiye are key export destinations for Victorian food and fibre products, education and VET, mining, equipment, technology and services (METS), automotive products and professional services. Saudi Arabia is Victoria's fifth largest merchandise export market and the United Arab Emirates is Victoria's eleventh largest merchandise export market.
Iran is an emerging market for Victoria following the lifting of many of Australia's autonomous sanctions on Iran in January 2016.
Victoria is home to the Australia's largest Israel-born and Jewish communities.
Victorian Trade and Investment Offices
Supporting our relationship, the Victorian Government has offices in Dubai (est 1997), and Tela-viv (est 2017) which play a vital role in the facilitation of trade, investment and the establishment of people to people links and partnerships between the regions.
Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement negotiations
The Gulf Cooperation Council includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are key markets Australian livestock, meat, dairy products, vegetables, sugar, wheat and other grains.
Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the GCC commenced in July 2007. Four rounds of GCC-Australia FTA negotiations were held, with the last one held in June 2009.
At the GCC Leader’s Summit in January 2021, the GCC renewed its interests in pursuing an FTA with Australia (and other key countries) as a priority market. Internal consultations have commenced on this development.
Bilateral Relationships
National / Institutions
- Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce - AICC exists to meet the needs of businesses either by increasing business opportunities of its members by increasing bilateral trade between Australia and Israel.
Victorian State Government
- Victoria-Israel Science Innovation and Technology Scheme (VISITS) - supports Victorian companies to travel to Israel for business, as well as bilateral research collaborations and proof of concept projects.
Victorian Institutions
- Baker Institute and Sheba Medical Center - collaboration seeking to protect against heart arrhythmias
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Hadassah Medical Center’s collaboration on schizophrenia.
If you are visiting Melbourne, you might like to dine at Israeli master chef Eyal Shani's Miznon Melbourne offering a new kind of Mediterranean street food, which is located in one of Melbourne's renown lanes, Hardware Lane. Read about it on Grazia.
We can help you with your next market entry project
If you are considering investing in Melbourne, we can help you scope the market opportunity in Melbourne/Australia and assist you with your business case development.
Working with us will allow you to be fully informed and limit the number of surprises associated with your new investment. Our staff are experienced and well connected and can introduce you to potential partners to help make your investment a success.
Contact us
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| Israel enquiries contact Tim Dillion Commissioner, Europe and Israel Email Tim |
Middle East enquiries contact Kassem Younes General Manager, Middle East, Africa & Türkiye Email Kassem |
Or go to our All Offices page to find your nearest Invest Victorian representative.
