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Welcome to the winter edition of Globally Connected, coming to you from the lands of the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation.
While many Victorian businesses are navigating changes in the international trade environment, the Global Victoria team remains your partner in supporting your export growth. Our specialists span 23 Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices worldwide and provide the global connections and local expertise often needed for successful market entry.
The newly released Victorian Food and Fibre Export Performance Summary 2023-24 reaffirms Victoria as Australia's leading food and fibre exporter, capturing an impressive 27% of the national total and delivering $20.1 billion in exports, and achieving our 2030 target six years ahead of schedule. This outstanding performance reflects the resilience and innovation of our farmers, producers and food and beverage manufacturers who continue to excel in competitive global markets.
Within this success story, Southeast Asia stands out as a region of growing strategic importance for Victorian exporters. We share strong growth potential, close proximity, economic complementarities, and a mutual drive to diversify trade. The region continues to be a cornerstone of Victoria's export success, representing our second-largest regional market with $4.4 billion in food and fibre exports.
While we've seen some softening in wheat demand from markets like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, what’s impressive is the region's underlying strength and diversity. Vietnam grew its imports from Victoria by 9% to $686 million, and the Philippines delivered exceptional growth of 38% to $594 million.
This reminds us why Southeast Asia's 11-country spread, from Indonesia to Vietnam, offers valuable opportunities for our exporters. Each market brings its own dynamics and growth potential, providing natural diversification and multiple entry points for Victorian businesses.
Under the leadership of Commissioner Naïla Mazzucco and newly appointed Deputy Commissioner for Southeast Asia, Aaron Williams, Global Victoria is strengthening its impact across the region. Our VGTI offices in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, supported by our in-market specialists are helping Victorian businesses tap into local knowledge and unlock new opportunities. These recent successes are just a glimpse of the broader impact we're driving across Southeast Asia.
Our commitment to Southeast Asia is demonstrated through targeted trade initiatives throughout 2025. We supported 27 Victorian wineries at Vinexpo Asia and showcased 29 food and agricultural exporters at Food and Hotel Asia, facilitating nearly 100 strategic buyer introductions.
Most recently, our Melbourne-based Inbound Buyer Mission connected over 65 Victorian companies with senior buyers from Cold Storage Singapore and Jaya Grocer Malaysia, resulting in 31 direct supplier pitches. These efforts are part of our broader program that has already supported over 150 Victorian food and beverage companies to build export capabilities and strengthen their presence in this vital region.
As the diverse Southeast Asia economies continue to develop and consumer preferences evolve, I'm confident of exciting prospects ahead for our state’s agribusinesses who can deliver the quality and reliability that Victorian agriculture is known for. Beyond agriculture, Victoria's expertise spans multiple high-growth sectors in Southeast Asia.
Our Melbourne team recently connected 7 Indonesian FinTech leaders with 7 pioneering Victorian companies for cross-border collaboration discussions.
Beauty, Wellness and Personal Care (BWPC) is a sector showing strong regional growth. Our recent inbound mission facilitated over 60 business matching meetings between buyer groups from 5 Southeast Asian countries and Victoria's leading BWPC companies.
International education remains a strategic relationship with the region and a key service export. The numbers speak to Victoria's strength in this sector. For example, with 16,643 Malaysian students enrolled in Victorian institutions in 2024, our state attracts over 27% of all Malaysians studying abroad, making Victoria Australia's most popular destination for Malaysian students.
Last month, Commissioner Mazzucco welcomed Indonesia's new Consul-General Designate to Melbourne during his visit to our Jakarta VGTI office. Their discussion reaffirmed the strength of Victoria's relationship with Indonesia, including our sister-state ties with Yogyakarta and West Java, and partnerships like the Australia–UK joint education campus in Bandung – a collaboration between Deakin University and Lancaster University that reflects our shared interests.
We're also committed to supporting Victorian women in Southeast Asian markets through our Global Victoria Women (GVw) initiative. Commissioner Mazzucco recently shared her strategic vision for strengthening Victoria's trade and investment ties with Southeast Asia at a networking event connecting women entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The opportunities for Victorian companies in Southeast Asia are vast, diverse, and growing, and we’re here to help you tap into them. Follow the VGTI Southeast Asia LinkedIn channel to stay informed and get connected with this dynamic region.
Connect with us on our website and follow Global Victoria on LinkedIn.
Let’s take on the world, together.
Danni Jarrett
CEO, Global Victoria, Invest Victoria
ARON WILLIAMS
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR VICTORIA TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
Aaron is a seasoned international entrepreneur and business leader with over 15 years of experience in Malaysia and a global track record spanning North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. In his new role as Deputy Commissioner, Aaron will drive Victoria’s investment attraction and facilitation efforts across Malaysia.
Learn more about Aaron ►
AN DOAN
DIRECTOR, TRADE AND INVESTMENT, VIETNAM
An recently joined the Ho Chi Minh VGTI office, bringing over a decade of experience in international trade, market development and building strategic partnerships. She has held roles at ACCA, the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam, and the Korean Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
Learn more about An ►
CHINA'S EDUCATION MASTER PLAN
China’s 2024–2035 Education Master Plan presents significant opportunities for Victorian education providers, particularly in curriculum development, joint degrees, research, vocational education reform, and student mobility initiatives.
SPOTLIGHT ON SPAIN
With Spain’s strong expertise in sustainable infrastructure, technology and energy, there is significant potential to expand Victoria’s economic relationship with Spain in the coming years.
By leveraging shared strengths, both regions can drive innovation, investment, and job creation.
ARGENTINA AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VICTORIAN METS COMPANIES
Over the past 12 months, Argentina's mining industry has undergone a remarkable transformation driven by pro-business reforms and a surge in foreign investment.
VICTORIA'S INDIA STRATEGY
Victoria and India share a special relationship, one that has been built through cooperation and shared values. India is one of Victoria's most important trade partners and is projected to be the third largest economy in the world by 2030.
USA & CANADA
The US beauty market is highly competitive and home to some of the world’s largest beauty corporations. Global Victoria delivered a program with innovative Victorian beauty brands ready to scale and grow in the North American market in a variety of retail options, including specialty beauty stores, department stores, and online stores.
MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND TÜRKİYE
In February 2025, Victoria’s Commissioner to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, Gönül Serbest, and members of the trade and investment team undertook an official visit to Qatar. In a sign that Victoria’s clean, green, and safe food and agricultural products are valued by the Qatari market, Victoria’s exports to Qatar have grown by 40% since 2022/23.
Record Food and Fibre Exports Continue to Lead Nation
Victoria’s primary producers and food manufacturers have delivered another year of record-breaking exports, leading the nation and hitting the state’s $20 billion target six years ahead of schedule.
Victorian Wines Take Centre Stage at La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux
Victoria’s premium wines are making an impact on the global stage, with a new partnership showcasing the state’s finest winemakers at the world’s largest wine museum—La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, France.
Inbound Buyer Mission - Little Farms Singapore
Global Victoria and Export Connect are bringing Little Farms Singapore's Commercial Director to Ballarat on Friday 1 August 2025.
Offering attendees a direct line to one of Singapore's most influential food retailers, Founding Director of Export Connect, Najib Lawand joins Little Farms Singapore's Commercial Director, Tom Gray to share the latest Singapore market intelligence to inform your agribusiness strategy.
14th World Chambers Congress
The World Chambers Congress is the largest and only international forum that enables chamber leaders and professionals to share best practices, exchange insights, develop networks, address the latest business issues affecting their communities, and learn about new areas of innovation from chambers around the world.
The theme of its 14th edition, taking place here in Melbourne, will explore how fostering collaboration among businesses, chambers of commerce, and governments can drive economic growth and prosperity.
BLACK STUMP TECHNOLOGIES
Founded in 2017, Black Stump Technologies has evolved from building bespoke solar power solutions to a ‘productised’ suite of more than 20 standard product solutions, battle-tested in harsh operating conditions. Their products have been successfully deployed throughout Australia, in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Djibouti, USA, Spain, and the Bahamas.
Global Victoria's team from the India VGTI office has been instrumental in facilitating the company's transactions with leading Indian manufacture, TankUp.
MERCHANTSPRING
With a foundation in Australia and strong market presence in North America and Europe, Melbourne-based tech company, MerchantSpring is setting its sights on India – a strategic and high-potential market for its next growth phase.
Backed by Global Victoria’s in-market expertise, the company has taken a highly targeted, lower-funnel approach, resulting in new Indian clients and growth at its Melbourne HQ.
US Cyber Security Webinar Series
Global Victoria, in partnership with its USA Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices, delivered a four-part US Cybersecurity Webinar Series. The series aims to strengthen Victorian cybersecurity companies' knowledge and engagement with the US market.
Austrade's Go Global Export Academy
Austrade has launched the Go Global Export Academy to help Australian businesses go further faster. It features upcoming live webinars ready for you to book and recordings of past webinars to watch when you like.
Have your say on doing business in Southeast Asia
The Australia-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce is conducting a survey of Australian businesses operating in or considering Southeast Asia as an export destination. Participate to help shape future support for Australian exporters across Southeast Asia. Take the Survey.
Government grants and other financial help available to Victorian businesses
Business Victoria offers guidance, services and skills you need to successfully start, run and transform your business. Explore the range of grants, funding, and programs currently available
Assess your export readiness
Austrade provide a range of information, tools and support to grow your business globally.
Assess your export readiness using Austrade's Go Global Tool