Mining and agriculture priority sectors across META to start 2023

Despite persistent challenges brought by the war in Ukraine and global supply chain pressures, there is growing potential for Victorian exporters engaging across the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa (META) heading into 2023.

A series of world trade forums mark a busy start to the new year, with Global Victoria supporting the participation of Victorian businesses across several priority sectors of shared interest with META countries.

Saudi Arabia’s mining sector is a leader among Gulf countries, with some of the world’s largest reserves of high-value minerals such as phosphate and tantalum. Beyond the opportunities linked to mineral extraction itself, there are also prospects for Victorian businesses that offer expertise in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector. Engineering consultancy, drilling and chemical testing, and manufacture of related equipment are examples of services in demand in a country where mining is a core pillar of the Saudi Vision 2030. The Victorian Government Trade and Investment office (VGTI) in Dubai attended the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh in mid-January to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities for Victorian businesses.

The forum preceded major global trade conference, Mining Indaba, which will run from 6 – 9 February in Cape Town, Africa. The conference will showcase the growing opportunities for businesses across Africa’s mining sector. Global Victoria is exhibiting at the event by leading a trade delegation of 12 companies to promote Victoria’s expertise in the METS sector. Victoria’s METS companies are well placed to leverage the sector’s scope for modernisation and improvements in efficiency, safety, automation and environmental management.

For more information on Mining Indaba, contact Global Victoria's  Alex Veale - Lead, Sustainability and Advanced Manufacturing.

Driving Victoria's food and agricultural exports

From 20 – 24 February, Global Victoria will lead a delegation of Victorian food and beverage exporters to attend Dubai's Gulfood 2023 – the largest food, beverage and hospitality exhibition in the world. META countries, particularly members of the Gulf Council of Cooperation (GCC), are continuing to bolster investment in the agricultural sector to support domestic food security over the long term. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) imports over 80 per cent of its food products, around half of which are re-exported across the GCC, South Asia and eastern Africa. Opportunities exist for export-ready Victorian producers of grains, dairy and meat.