Page 1307 - Week 04 - Thursday, 8 May 2014
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We now talk about our value proposition—the areas of our economy that have a compelling investment story to tell—providing a frame for our outward communication. Invest Canberra has already undertaken work to analyse how Canberra is perceived by external investors and has recognised the need to promote points of difference that make us attractive.
Invest Canberra has been active in promoting Canberra’s investment credentials, specifically relating to the city to the lake project, capital metro and a range of tourism infrastructure opportunities in key markets, particularly Singapore and China.
Invest Canberra is building on an already strong relationship with Austrade, resulting in more investment leads, and it is developing relationships with a number of high value investors who are poised to make significant investments in the territory economy.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, what recent activities and announcements have been made as part of the business development strategy and to support business?
MR BARR: Last week the Chief Minister’s export awards for 2014 were launched. These awards acknowledge and highlight the importance of growth within the territory’s exporting community. It is particularly pleasing to see that in recent times the rate of export growth out of the ACT has been well in advance of the national average. Now, nearly $1.3 billion worth of goods and services are produced in this economy and sold internationally. There has been rapid growth not only in the volume of goods and services exported from the ACT but also in the diversity of our exporters network.
It has been particularly pleasing to be able to support a number of Canberra businesses. Six Canberra-based businesses have recently been supported through the innovation connect grant program. The latest recipients range from cloud-based communication services to high-speed and cost-effective genomic testing technologies. Further, the rollout of brand Canberra is continuing and is being used by many right across the city to promote our city and the brilliant possibilities that exist here for business, tourism and investment.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Ms Berry.
MS BERRY: Minister, what are some recent examples of success stories among the Canberra’s business sector?
MR BARR: It is really pleasing to be able to update the Assembly on a number of outstanding outcomes for businesses in the territory. Members may be aware—we have discussed this in this place before—that Lithicon, a business spun out of research at the ANU, recently sold for $76 million, a true Canberra success story.
Another example is Datapod. When we launched the export awards, it was a previous category winner at the awards. Datapod is now operating in the global modular data
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