Minister Barr: Canberra named as one of the Asia-Pacific cities of the future
- Written by ACT Government
Released 09/12/2015
Canberra has been recognised as one of the Asia-Pacific’s cities of the future, highlighting our business and investment strengths as the ACT Government continues our promotion of the city in the Asian region.
fDi Magazine - a division of the Financial Times Ltd, has published its ranking of the economic, financial and business strengths of cities in the Asia-Pacific region and Canberra placed seventh in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy category. It is the first time Canberra has been ranked in the top 10.
In this category, we competed against several world-leading cities, including Singapore and Hong Kong. Ranking seventh is a significant and impressive achievement, demonstrating the success of the ACT Government’s investment promotion strategy in the region.
The ACT Government has a crucial role to play in nurturing our potential as a knowledge-based economy. We are committed to creating an attractive business environment for R&D investment to meet the needs of the Canberra community now and into the future.
Since becoming Chief Minister, I have visited China, Singapore and the United States to promote Canberra as an investment ready city. We have already seen many Asian companies invest in the ACT, including the Aquis acquisition of Casino Canberra.
Our success in supplying world-class skills and promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship makes Canberra an attractive place to invest, and being recognised as a city of the future in the Asia-Pacific is a strong vote of confidence for our business community and our economy.
The 2015-16 ACT Budget is delivering $11.75 million in new funding to support Confident and Business Ready: Building on Our Strengths, the ACT Government’s business development strategy, which will continue to grow the Canberra economy and create jobs.
In addition to our success in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Strategy category, Canberra also achieved a top five result in the Human Capital & Lifestyle category due to our strengths and capabilities in R&D, and professional, scientific and technical services.
To view the fDi Magazine rankings of the economic, financial and business strengths of cities in the Asia-Pacific region, visit: http://www.fdiintelligence.com/Locations/Asia-Pacific/fDi-s-Asia-Pacific-Cities-of-the-Future-2015-16-The-Winners?ct=true
For more information on the ACT Government’s business development strategy, Confident and Business Ready: Building on Our Strengths, visit: www.business.act.gov.au/strategy.
- Statement ends -
Section: Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases