A GLI chapter contains a group of members within a defined geographic area. Each Chapter will have a president that will work closely with its members through regular meetings in which they will set their calendar of events as per the needs of its members. These events will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and further networking allowing for the multiplication of each member’s resources and the enriching of their of social and economic lives.
A list of all GLI Members in this Chapter is accessible Here
AUSTRALIA
About the Country
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world’s sixth-largest country by total area. The neighbouring countries are Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east. The population of 25 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. Australia’s capital is Canberra, and its largest city is Sydney. The country’s other major metropolitan areas are Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
On 26 January 1788, it was declared that this date be Australia’s national day. The population grew steadily in by the 1850s most of the continent had been explored and an additional five self-governing crown colonies established. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia has since maintained a stable liberal democratic political system that functions as a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy, comprising six states and ten territories
Being the oldest, flattest and driest inhabited continent, with the least fertile soils, Australia has a landmass of 7,617,930 square kilometers (2,941,300 sq mi). With its population density, 2.8 inhabitants per square kilometer, remains among the lowest in the world. Australia generates its income from various sources including mining related exports, telecommunications, banking and manufacturing. Indigenous Australian rock art is the oldest and richest in the world, dating as far back as 60,000 years and spread across hundreds of thousands of sites.
Australia is a highly developed country, with the world’s 13th-largest economy. It has a high-income economy, with the world’s tenth-highest per capita income. It is a regional power, and has the world’s 13th-highest military expenditure. Australia has the world’s ninth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 26% of the population. Having the third-highest human development index and the eighth-highest ranked democracy globally, the country ranks highly in quality of life, health, education, economic freedom, civil liberties and political rights,[31] with all its major cities faring well in global comparative livability surveys. Australia is a member of the United Nations, G20, Commonwealth of Nations, ANZUS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Pacific Islands Forum and the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism.
Investment Opportunities in the Country
Now in its 27th year of consecutive annual economic growth, Australia’s economic resilience and growth prospects are unsurpassed among major advanced economies. The Australian Government welcomes foreign investment. As the Australian Government’s investment promotion agency, Austrade works to inform investors about growth opportunities in five areas which play to our strengths. www.austrade.gov.au/International/invest
Robust Economy
Australia is in its 27th year of consecutive annual economic growth – the only developed economy in the world to achieve this distinction.
The country has strong institutions, an ability to respond to global changes and above average productivity in global growth sectors. These factors underpin its steady growth and make it a low-risk destination to do business.
Australia’s economy is:
- the world’s 13th largest
- rated AAA by all three global rating agencies
- forecast to realize average annual real GDP growth of 2.8 percent over the next five years – the highest among major advanced economies
- characterised by high productivity levels, with 15 out of 20 industries rating above the global average.
Dynamic Industries
Australia is an early adopter of disruptive technologies and globally successful in key global growth sectors including resources and energy, agribusiness, financial services, education and tourism.
Innovation and Skills
Australia offers a smart, multicultural workforce with enterprising mindsets and the skills to drive innovation and grow international business
Global Ties
Australia is a globally integrated economy and plays an integral role in Asia’s dynamic economic growth.
Strong Foundations
In an uncertain world, Australia’s stable institutions and good governance make it one of the safest places in the world to do business.
Other websites
www.australianinvestmentnetwork.com
www.australianinvestmentnetwork.com/investors
www.tourisminvestment.com.au/en/investment-opportunities.html
www.canstar.com.au/investor-hub/return-on-investments
www.moneymorning.com.au/best-investment-opportunities
Message from Chapter President
The Honourable Faddy Zouky OAM
Over the past decade Australia’s trade and investment relations have grown with many of the 18 countries that make up the Middle East and North Africa region including Lebanon.
Fortunately, Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon have also been seeking out Australian skills and expertise in architecture and construction, railways, green building design, education, health, hospitality and events management to help their ambitious plans to diversify and grow their economies. Australia is a developed country with a population of about 22 million people. It is also a country rich in natural resources and one increasingly gaining attention from investors.
According to Heritage.org, Australia’s economic freedom score is 82.6, making it the third freest in the 2013 Index, behind Hong Kong and Singapore. For comparison, the United States ranks tenth. Economic freedom, as defined by Heritage, is “the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property.”
Index Mundi points out that Australia’s abundant natural resources (coal, iron ore, copper, gold, natural gas, and uranium) already attract significant foreign investment. In addition, the country is home to extensive renewable energy sources.
With a strong economy as the backbone, companies like AAG Investment Management tout Australia’s record of accomplishment in agricultural production as one important reason to consider investing in the country.
In addition, AAG says Australia’s geographic location makes it extremely well placed with regard to the emerging markets of Asia, which have many emerging nations that investors cannot ignore. As global food prices rise, investing in Australia offers distinct advantages.
In addition, the Australian government website, Austrade, points to growing foreign investment, a democratic and politically stable government, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and a sophisticated financial services sector as some of the many reasons investors should consider putting their capital to work in the Land Down Under.
Australia’s attractiveness as an investment destination has not been lost on its Asian neighbors. The Wall Street Journal reports that the country has attracted 170 applicants, mostly from China, to a new program that offers overseas millionaires the right of residency in return for a portion of their wealth.
Also, Indonesian businesses, including some backed by the government, are now poised to spend tens of millions of dollars buying up and investing in Australian cattle stations.
I would recommend that a joint government study between Australia and Lebanon be undertaken of Australia’s trade promotion efforts with a view to coordinate a more coherent unified strategy. Noting the value of services exports, particularly in education, health care, building and constructions, IT, business and tourism, to build relationships and raise the profile of Australia as a desirable destination for Lebanon. This would emulate the successful placement of a Lebanese investment in Australia. We are optimistic that Australia can build on a strong reputation as a reliable exporter and welcome foreign trade and investment.
Australia’s trade and investment relationships with Lebanon, having particular reference to:
- the nature of Australia’s existing trade and investment relationships with countries of the region;
- emerging and possible future trends in these relationships; barriers and impediments to trade and investment with Middle Eastern countries for Australian businesses, including examination of supply chain costs;
- opportunities for deepening existing commercial and cultural links, and developing new ones, with the countries of the Middle East;
- the role of government, including DFAT and Austrade, in identifying new opportunities and assisting Lebanese companies to access existing and potential opportunities in Australia.
Trade and commerce is a global language it’s the essence of stable economies and political systems. I believe that the task of strengthening the bridge of two way trade and commerce between Australia, Lebanon and the Lebanese diaspora is extremely vital. Lebanon and the Lebanese diaspora around the world, in order to enhance investment, must adhere to business opportunities that Australia is open for business.
Let us use the weapons we have, the weapons of economies to help grow, build, flourish and sustain the construction of bridges between Australia and Lebanon.