10 Good Reasons to Invest in Australia

1. Strong economic credentials

“Australia’s economy is the most resilient in the world (World Competitiveness Yearbook [WCY])

“Australia’s strong economic growth rates (average annual real GDP growth of 3.3% since 1990) have exceeded most other OECD countries including he USA, Canada, UK, Germany and Japan (OECD 2003)

“The OECD’s forecast growth for Australian in 2994 is 3.8% compared to an OECD forecast average of 3.0% in 2004. (OECD 2003)

Global FDI inflows to Australia increased by 250% in 2002 against a 20% decline I OECD countries overall. (OECD 2003)

“Productivity growth in Australia has exceeded 2% per year during the 990’s outstripping growth in the USA and exceeding h OEVD average of 1.7% per year over the last decade. (ABS,OEVD) Australia’s average annual hours worded per person exceeded those of Japan the US and UK and Germany. (ILO)

“In 2002-03, net public debt in Australia fell to A$29.7 billion (3.9% of Gross Domestic Product), the lowest level as a percentage of GDP I 20 years. By contrast, the average net public debt to GDP ratio for OECD countries in 2003 is estimated to be 49% (Japan 80%, United Stats 47% and the UK 29%). (OECD 2003)

2. Democratic and politically stable

“Australia is ranked as having the lowest risk of political instability in the world. (WCY)

“Australia has an open, efficient and transparent legal framework. In terms of promoting competitiveness, Australia’s laws are ranked as the second best in the world ahead of the United States and the United kingdom (WCY)

3. Highly Skilled and Multicultural Workforce

“Australia is ranked in the top seven countries in the world for availability of skilled labour, IT professionals, finance skills and qualified engineers. (WCY)

“Australia is home to the most multicultural workforce in the region, with citizens from language other than English at home (ABS)

“Australian students combined reading literacy is ranked fourth in the world ahead of the US, UK and other regional countries. (OECD / UNESCO)

4. Cost competitive location

Prime office space in Australian cities is 25% less than the cost of comparable properties in London New York, and Tokyo. (CB Richard Ellis)

“The cost of peak hour telephone calls from Australia to the US, are less expensive than in the UK, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. (WCY)

“Australia is also a lower cost destination in terms of CEO remuneration than countries such as the US, Japa, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong (WCY)

“From an international perspective, transport links between Australia and the ret o the world are frequent reliable and cost effective.

5. Sophisticated telecommunications and information systems and infrastructure

“Australia’s telecommunications and IT market is the second biggest in Asia and tenth largest in the world. (WITSA)

“Australia has he highest availability of IT skills in the region, ranking us as one of the most technologically literate people in the world. (WYC)

Australia is first in the region and sixth worldwide for ‘e-business readiness”, (EIU)

“Business to business (B2B) e-commerce transactions in Australia were worth over A$6 billion in 2001 (equivalent to almost 2% of GDP). B2B e-commerce is forecast to reach A$287 billion by 2006. (IDC)

6. Innovative culture with excellent R&D infrastructure

“Australia out ranks major OECD countries (including the US, Japan, Germany and the UK) for public expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP. (ABS)

“in 2001-02, Australian business expenditure  R&D reached the highest level recorded a 13% increase on 2000-01. (ABS)

“The Australian Government is committed to fostering a world-lass innovation culture and R7D infrastructure and has developed an A$3billion innovation strategy, Backing Australia’s Ability.

7. Open and efficient regulatory environment

“The Australian Government supports the needs of business and has implemented proactive reforms to provide the right conditions for growth ad investment.

“The Australian Government supports the needs of business and has implemented proactive reforms to provide the right conditions for growth ad investment.

“In terms of patent and copyright enforcement, Australia’s modern and effective IP regime is ranked above countries such as the UK, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. (WCY)

“Australia’s overall tax burden as a share of GDP is significantly lower than the OECD average. (OECD)

8. Strategic time zone advantage

“Australia is the perfect business gateway to Asia, acting as a bridge between the US and European time zones, providing investors ease of interaction and cultural affinity.

9. Excellent quality of life

“Australia is the number one place in the world where expatriate staff want to live and work. (EIU)

“Australia’s cost of living is significantly lower than many other countries including the US China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Canada. (CY)

10. Welcoming attitude to foreign investment

“Over 98% of foreign investment proposals (where approval is required). (FIRB)

“Invest Australia is Australia’s inward investment promotion agency providing a range of services to assist investors. With 13 offices around the world our mission is to attract productive foreign direct investment into Australia.