Winter 2021 Update
Thought about expanding to Canada?
While Canada is a modest trading partner for Victoria, the ease of doing business, close cultural ties, and similar business practices, make it an attractive destination for Victorian companies looking to expand internationally.
Victorian companies are active in Canada across diverse sectors, such as food and beverage, agriculture, technology, manufacturing, life sciences, resources, and creative industries. Canada presents many opportunities for exporters, in particular for companies offering niche, innovative and clearly differentiated products and services.
In 2020, total two-way trade in merchandise goods between Victoria and Canada was valued at $724 million. Victoria’s top goods exports were meat (excl. beef), coated iron and steel, and beef over this period. In terms of services exports, Canada was Victoria’s 12th largest source of international visitors in the year ending December 2019.
Access to some of the top tech talent in North America
The accelerated pace of digital transformation over the past year has resulted in a resilient and growing technology sector.Did you know that there are four Canadian cities amongst the top 20 tech talent markets in North America?
In CBRE’s 2021 Scoring Tech Talent report for North America (released July 2021):
- Canadian cities making the top 20 list (of the top tech talent markets in North America) include:
- Toronto (ranked number 4)
- Ottawa (ranked number 10)
- Vancouver (ranked number 11)
- Montreal (ranked number 16).
- The Waterloo Region in Ontario is ranked #21 overall, and is also identified as number 1 for small tech talent market in North America, number 2 for the tech talent growth rate, and the least expensive when looking at total annual labour and real estate cost.
Integration and access through Free Trade Agreements
Canada and Australia are both members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), providing enhanced market access for exporters and investors across both countries. Another attractive element is the fact that Canada’s economy is highly integrated with the United States. Through the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USCMA), the country offers market access to both the United States and Mexico.
Creating new connections and opportunities for indigenous businesses
Kinaway and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business with the support of Global Victoria and the Consulate General of Canada, Sydney, are organising a Canada – Victoria Indigenous Exporters Dialogue towards the end of August.
The event will connect indigenous businesses from both markets to understand exporting opportunities in each market, foster connections and potential partnerships.
North America
Established Victorian exporters targeting North America
North America remains a key market of interest for a broad range of businesses, including established Victorian exporters. This was highlighted recently with over a third of Global Gateway recipients targeting projects in North America.
Looking for business opportunities in the Americas?
If you're a Victorian business looking to export, Global Victoria can help you grow in international markets.
For more information on exporting to the Americas, and to connect with our in-market teams, contact our regional specialist Pamela Wearing by sending her an email.
Summer 2021
The United States (US) is Victoria’s second largest two-way merchandise trade partner, and a key target market for many Victorian exporters. In this insight we focus on the depth of connections that exist between the Victorian and US entrepreneur and start up communities.
As highlighted in the new podcast hosted by U.S. Consul General to Melbourne Mike Kleine, 37 Degrees Latitude. if geography is destiny, there must be something special about 37 degrees latitude.
At 37˚S, you’ll find Melbourne, Australia; at 37˚N, you’ll find Silicon Valley (and Area 51). In this podcast, you can learn how some of Victoria’s most successful founders scaled their startups to the United States.
Entrepreneurship, innovation and the depths of connections between the Australian and Silicon Valley/Bay Area relationship is highlighted in The Bay Area-Silicon Valley and Australia An Expanding Trans-Pacific Partnership report released in December 2020 (released by The Bay Area Economic Council in partnership with AmCham Australia).
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
The Victorian Government announced in December 2020 funding aimed at boosting the number of women startup founders in Victoria. Funding will be delivered through LaunchVic for two entrepreneurship programs (programs by SBE Australia and Atto Accelerator). (Learn more about Atto’s Founder Kate Kendall in Episode 2 of the 37 Degrees Latitude podcast).
The Global Victoria Women (GVw) Female Business Leader in 2020 virtual seminar in December featured two Australian entrepreneurs originally from the US: Hawaiian born Jeanette Cheah, Founder and CEO, Hacker Exchange and Californian born Julie Hirsch, Co-Founder and COO, Eloments Natural Vitamin Tea.
Latin America: Diversify your Growth
Latin America continues to offer diversification and growth opportunities for Victorian businesses.
Mining and Mining Technology
Latin America is a traditional mining and resources market, and a growing number of Victorian mining engineering, technology and services (METS) companies are securing business opportunities in the region. Mineral output in key Latin American countries has remained strong. Chile and Peru have deemed their mining industries strategic for economic recovery and with copper prices increasing, it is expected that the sector will reactivate faster than projected.
During the last quarter of 2020, a carefully selected group of Victorian METS companies were invited to join the LATAM METS Virtual Acceleration Business Program, run by the Victorian Government Trade & Investment Office in Santiago. Part of the cohort was invited to pitch their solutions to some of Chile’s major mining companies, including Antofagasta Mineral’s Minera Los Pelambres and Lumina Copper’s Caserones. Significant opportunities were identified for environmental monitoring technologies, level and flow measurement technologies and efficient mineral processing capabilities.
Opportunities in Latin America were highlighted at the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo Online conference in November, including the following sessions moderated by Natalia Gorrono, Victoria’s Acting Head of Post Latin America and Pablo Schatz Victoria’s Trade & Investment Director, Latin America:
- METS Arena – LATAM Tailings Management Focus featuring Mining Speaker Jorge C. Troncoso, Corporate Head of Tailings, Antofagasta Minerals.
- Trends impacting the flow of investment in mining technology
- Political and Regulatory risks for consideration into key Latin American mining jurisdictions.
Education and EdTech
After facing extraordinary educational challenges in 2020, an emerging sector of opportunity in Latin America is education technology (Edtech).
The LATAM Edtech Scoping Program 2020 held in December was organised by the Victorian Government Trade & Investment Office in Santiago in partnership with EdLatam Alliance; Endeavor (the largest network of entrepreneurs in the Americas); and HolonIQ, (which launched the top 100 LATAM Edtech companies earlier in 2020, and, more recently, the top 50 Australian list). Eight Victorian EdTech companies had the opportunity to showcase their technologies in front of key decision makers in the K12, higher education and corporate training sector in Latin America.
There are significant opportunities for Victorian VET providers to develop partnerships in Latin America to respond to upskilling needs and plans through online programs. Most recently TAFE Chisholm announced a new partnership with ALATA in Ecuador in November 2020 to deploy short courses for students and professionals.
Innovation and the Digital Economy
Broadly, there are opportunities for companies offering innovative technology solutions, with an emphasis on solutions delivering efficiency and productivity benefits. Our team in Santiago is working together with partners to connect Victorian companies that can solve specific industry challenges – whether these are relate to agriculture, energy, water management, mining, financial services, education or other industries.
reach out to Pamela Wearing, Regional Specialist – Americas on upcoming Global Victoria activities and how we can support your business diversify and grow in Latin America.
In-Market Insights Video Series 2020
In-Market Insights was a series of videos presented by Global Victoria in 2020. The team from across our international network of 23 Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices shed light on current opportunities for Victorian businesses in key global markets and across a range of sectors.
North America - Biotech and Life Sciences September 2020
Episode 21 features Nathan Elia, Acting Head of Post and Senior Director Trade and Investment (Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Medical R&D and Technology) from the Victorian Government's Trade and Investment (VGTI) office in Boston, North America. Nathan shares insights on emerging opportunities in North America for Victorian MedTech, pharma, life science companies and institutions looking to engage with the region.
VIDEO: Global Victoria's In-market Insights - NORTH AMERICA: Biotech and Life Sciences September 2020Latin America - Education August 2020
Episode 19 features Andrea Voto-Bernales - Global Victoria’s Education Services Director from the Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) office in Santiago, Chile. Andrea shares insights on emerging opportunities in Latin America for Victorian education institutions looking to engage with the region.
VIDEO: Global Victoria's In-market Insights - LATIN AMERICA: Education August 2020Melbourne EdTech Summit: 8 - 10 September 2020
Bringing together leaders from Australia’s EdTech ecosystem and hand-picked global innovators to explore the education innovation agenda, the summit offers education providers, industry participants and EdTech entrepreneurs a place to develop a vision for the education and skills sector and its connection to the future of work.
Explore more and register to attend
North America July 2020
Global Victoria’s Trade Manager, Brian Carnahan from the Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) office in San Francisco shares his insights into emerging opportunities in North America for Victorian exporters looking to engage with the region.
VIDEO: Global Victoria's In-market Insights - NORTH AMERICA July 2020
Latin America July 2020
Natalia Gorrono, Global Victoria’s Senior Trade and Investment Director from the Santiago Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) office in Chile shares insights on the emerging opportunities for Victorian businesses in Latin America.
VIDEO: Global Victoria's In-market Insights - LATIN AMERICA July 2020
Previous Updates
Winter 2020
While physical travel has been restricted in recent months, our engagement and trade activities with the Americas through virtual platforms has continued to be strong and positive.
Clinical trials and biotech collaboration
Victoria is regarded as one of the premier locations in the world to conduct clinical trials. In June, the Victoria Clinical Trials Gateway went virtual. Thirty-five delegates participated in the Global Victoria virtual stand at BIO USA, the largest biotech focused event in the United States.
Through virtual meetings and events, delegates uncovered new business opportunities and formed new collaborations and partnerships. As part of the event, Global Victoria held a live panel featuring Dr Tina Soulis, (Neuroscience Trials Australia), Dr Megan Robertson (St Vincents Health Australia) and Dr Amanda Caples, Lead Scientist (Victorian Government) highlighting opportunities for conducting clinical trials in Australia.
In August, American company Novavax announced positive phase 1 data for its COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate which was conducted in Australia (a large portion of the trial conducted in Melbourne). Victorian companies 360biolabs and Nucleus Network both contributed to the Phase 1 trial. Phase 2 of the trial was initiated in the United States and Australia in late August.
Building on the long and extensive history of collaboration between the life sciences ecosystems in Victoria and Maryland, Global Victoria supported a Victorian delegation at the Maryland Bio Innovation Virtual Conference in early October.
Emerging EdTech opportunities
One industry that's seen a dramatic shift in 2020 is the education sector – with a large proportion of education providers switching to digital platforms and remote learning.
The Melbourne EdTech Summit was held from 8-10 September and discussed the education innovation agenda with Australia’s EdTech leaders and global innovators (including around 90 participants from the Americas).
Global Victoria was a key partner for EduGrowth’s 2020 USA EdTech Trade Mission, held over the last two weeks of September. Seventeen Victorian EdTech companies participated in the virtual mission which highlighted key opportunities and the potential for growth in the USA EdTech market. For Victorian EdTech companies, Global Victoria hosted a session giving companies insight into the Latin American EdTech sector.
Expanding research collaborations with the State of Parana, Brazil
International research partnerships and collaboration continue to grow between Victoria and the State of Paraná, Brazil. In July, funding was approved for joint research projects between multiple Brazilian and Victorian universities covering diverse topics such as:
- water management
- water security
- sustainable agriculture
- rural agricultural productivity planning
- capacity building primary care responses to domestic violence.
Universities involved include:
- La Trobe University
- Swinburne University
- Deakin University
- State University of Maringa
- Federal University of Paraná
- State University of West Paraná.
Autumn 2020
Female leaders from Latin America converge on Melbourne
Early in March, Global Victoria hosted three female leaders from Latin America to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and promote collaboration between the 60 international delegates that visited overall and Victorian stakeholders.
Claudia Bobadilla, Executive President of the Industrial Telecommunication Association in Chile and CSIRO Board Member and Juanita Rodriguez, Vice-Chancellor of Innovation at EAN University in Bogotá participated in Global Victoria's all-women business summit , GVw 2020 from 5 to 8 March 2020. GVw 2020 showcased Victoria’s world-class capabilities in STEM, transport/infrastructure, sport, medical technology and pharmaceuticals.
Claudia learnt about the work of Monash University, CSIRO and the Australian Synchrotron in driving world-leading research, and partnership opportunities. Juanita visited the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project at Parkville and experienced first-hand the innovative and sustainable Arup engineering office in the Docklands as part of the infrastructure program.
Photo: GVw 2020 delegates on a site tour of Melbourne's Metro Tunnel - part of Victoria's $70 billion Big Build Infrastructure Project
Both had the opportunity to connect with influential female leaders – from women driving key medical research projects to women leading major road projects in Victoria – as part of the state’s $70 billion infrastructure program.
Claudia Bobadilla also featured as the keynote speaker at the ALABC boardroom luncheon held on 6 March 2020 at Global Victoria’s International Chamber House which included participation by Australia’s Ambassador to Colombia and Venezuela HE Sophie Davies. Claudia shared her insights on drivers behind the recent social unrest in Chile following 40 days of being completely immersed amongst the most affected communities. A key lesson Claudia took away was the importance of companies incorporating social values in their business plans and strategies to ensure dignity for all.
Following GVw was the annual Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF).
Dr Maria Carrasco, a leading fashion commentator in Chile and practising Psychiatrist travelled to Melbourne to attend a full program of activities during VAMFF including;
- exclusive runways shows
- meet and greets with leading Melbourne designers
- visits to the RMIT Design Studio and fashion school LCI
- attending the latest exhibit at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Photo: Maria Carrasco (pictured on the right) with Global Victoria's CEO, Gönül Serbest at the National Gallery of Victoria. Spring 2019
Melbourne and San Francisco will be connected better than ever before, with United Airlines launching its first non-stop flight between the two cities.This is the airline’s second non-stop flight between the US and Melbourne and will operate three times a week.
The new route means that there are more direct flights from San Francisco to Melbourne than ever before, with seven flights over six days a week.
Along with the 16 direct flights currently operating from Los Angeles to Melbourne and four to Vancouver, the new service will make travel even easier for Northern American businesses who have offices in Melbourne and those considering establishing a presence in Australia’s fastest growing city.
Melbourne is a popular destination for US investors, particularly those in the tech sector, with San Francisco-based tech companies such as Zendesk, Square, Splunk and Eventbrite having all established offices in Melbourne.
Showcasing Victoria's world-leading capabilities
Over the past few months, our Americas VGTI has been very heavily involved in promoting Victoria’s capabilities through a very eclectic mix of activities – from tech and creative industries in the US to education and mining equipment and technology services in Latin America.
South by Southwest (SXSW) Regarded as the leading global conference for music, film and interactive media, Global Victoria led a trade mission to SXSW in Austin, Texas in March 2019.
Supported by the Americas VGTI and Creative Victoria, 15 Victorian tech startups and a separate cohort of 30 delegates from Victoria’s creative scene travelled to the Silicon Hills to build new connections and soak up fresh new ideas from leaders across a wide range of industries, including, marketing, music and film equipment, robotics, aerospace, mobile apps, 3D printing, and many more.
Global Victoria, in collaboration with the Victorian Music Development Organisation, G'Day USA and Sounds Australia, put together a day-long celebration showcasing Melbourne’s best music, tech and film talent at Melbourne Hub, a venue takeover at AUSTRALIA House at SXSW 2019. The evening featured leading Melbourne acts Oh Pep!, Two People, Angie McMahon, Mojo Juju, Amyl and the Sniffers (DJ set) and DRMNGNOW (DJ set). With the venue at full capacity, the evening concluded with a late night screening of the Australian documentary, Her Sound Her Story by filmmaker Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore.
Several Melbourne-based artists and companies gained wider recognition in the US and beyond, and number of Victorian delegates reported hugely promising business outcomes, with some reporting estimates of $3.4 million in new business over the next 12 months, and $23 million over a two-year period.
Spring 2019
Latin America
Lopez-Lochert Scholarship
In January 2019, nineteen Victorian TAFE students travelled to Chile under the Victorian Government’s Lopez-Lochert Scholarship program to undertake a two-week exchange program at Duoc UC, Chile's leading VET institution. Students undertook two-week courses on “Doing Business in Latin America” and “The World of Chilean Wines”. As part of the academic program, the group visited multiple local companies, startups and vineyards and immersed themselves in the local culture.
The scholarship is the result of a unique first-ever partnership between the Victorian Government, TAFE Victoria and Duoc UC aimed at facilitating student exchanges between Victoria and Chile, fostering cultural connections and promoting Victorian VET opportunities in Latin America.
Learn more about Victoria’s relationship with Latin America by reading the Victorian Government's Latin America Trade and Investment Strategy.
Exponor 2019: Global Victoria travels to the heart of copper mining in the world.
In late April 2019, the Victorian Government’s Office in Santiago supported nine Victorian mining equipment and technology services (METS) companies on a trade mission to Exponor 2019 – one of Latin America’s largest mining events, held bi-annually in Antofagasta, Chile.
The Antofagasta region is the main mining centre of Chile and is responsible for over 55 per cent of domestic copper production, as well as 100 per cent of the production of lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide. Several of the world’s major mining companies have operating assets in the region, including BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Antofagasta Minerals Teck, Codelco, Yamana, KGHM, Rockwood and SQM.
Global Victoria’s mission aimed to connect Victorian METS with management, executives and technical personnel at some of the largest and most sophisticated mine sites in the world. The program included tailored B2B meetings, networking opportunities, customer briefings and visits to key mining sites.
