MY MARKET

PAUL NOON

UK TRADE & INVESTMENT | AUSTRALIA

our man in..

MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA’S second-largest city and voted the world’s second most liveable. Five of the six largest Australian fi rms have HQs here and it is home to more than a third of the ICT industry. It is a world-leading biotechnology hub, with major rail and other infrastructure opportunities.

Paul Noon is the director of UK Trade & Investment in Australia and New years and previously spent four years in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. and demand continues to increase

“Both Australia and New Zealand are very familiar to Brits. The business culture is well developed and people are open, friendly, hospitable and supportive of new businesses starting up in the market. Any smart businesses doing well in the UK have a good chance here. There is particular interest in low carbon, ICT, creative industries, healthcare, business and professional services and education.

PERTH MINING, OIL and gas are Perth’s largest industries. Iron ore accounts for almost half of Western Australia’s export income, while gas is enjoying rapid growth. Perth will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Commonwealth Business Forum in October.

Australia is the only OECD member that didn’t have a recession during the global downturn. It’s one of the fastest- growing economies in the organisation and growth will continue because of high demand for its resources. Oil and gas, and mining are enormous sectors in Western Australia. The area north of Perth is becoming one of the world’s

major oil and gas centres. There are further gas opportunities in Queensland and a large oil and gas industry exists in New Plymouth, New Zealand. There is a desperate need for

rebuilding after the devastating earthquake in Christchurch and there is also huge infrastructure investment in Australia. The Australian and New Zealand governments are investing A$43bn and NZ$5bn respectively in broadband technology to supply more than 90 per cent of homes and businesses with the best-quality broadband anywhere in the world. Rail is another strong sector in which many UK companies have already won contracts, as is the building of schools and roads. There are requirements for business services – lawyers and accountants,

24 | springboard | www.ukti.gov.uk