A message from our Chief Executive Officer
Welcome to our 2021 autumn edition of Globally Connected.
Over the last twelve months, our Melbourne and international teams have been working incredibly hard developing and delivering a suite of tailored programs to support Victorian exporters impacted by coronavirus.
I'm keen to share this update on our progress, and our plans moving forward.
Global Gateway Program
September 2020 marked the launch of the Victorian Government's $15.7 million Export Recovery Package (ERP). It was a record investment from the government, and Global Gateway was the first program delivered under the Package.
Last month, I extended my congratulations to more than 180 successful Global Gateway grant recipients.
Generating more than $6.3 billion of exports in 2019-20, these high-performing and resilient Victorian export companies will use their grants to stabilise business and adapt their export strategies.
We're looking forward to supporting these businesses to bring their innovative projects to life and strengthening Victoria's trade and global connections.
Export Skills Program
Global Victoria's new Export Skills Program is a key initiative under the ERP focused on supporting Victorian businesses new to export, and those planning on extending their export capabilities.
Delivered in partnership with the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA), the Export Skills Program will take you through the export life-cycle, from the must-haves of paperwork and logistics through to the finer details of establishing business partnerships in other countries.
The program runs until the end of June, so whether you're considering embarking on the export journey or planning to extend your business's export capabilities, explore the program modules in more detail and register to participate.
Virtual Trade Missions
Building on our international network of 23 Victorian Government Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices Global Victoria's Virtual Trade Missions (VTMs) are supporting Victorian businesses to realise their full potential in global markets and increase their exports.
With 21 VTMs delivered so far, we've showcased Victoria's capabilities in key industry sectors at major virtual networking events, as diverse as London Tech Week, IMARC and BIO Europe. We've partnered with the best in industry to deliver quality VTMs such as the Victorian Global EdTech and Innovation Expo, two Sportstech Missions to the UK and the US and a Technology VTM to Thailand.
Free to participate, our VTMs are opening doors for Victorian exporters looking to diversify and go global.
Discover what's on the horizon and stay tuned by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
eCommerce Program
Global Victoria's eCommerce Program is increasing the profile and sales of premium Victorian products through major eCommerce channels.
Not only is the program elevating the skills and capabilities of exporters already trading online, but it's also building the skills of Victorian exporters new to the eCommerce landscape.
The eCommerce Accelerator Program was launched in Southeast Asia last month where 15 Victorian companies were onboarded to establish their products online.
Our team looks forward to continuing to support these companies by connecting them with in-market experts to build an integrated eCommerce, marketing and distribution strategy specific to the dynamic region of Southeast Asia.
With more exciting eCommerce activities in planning, I highly recommend joining our Victorian eCommerce Network and get involved.
Global Victoria's Be Creative to Go Global Forum
Creativity is something that we believe is core to Victoria's DNA.
Earlier this month, our Be Creative to Go Global Virtual Forum sparked a lot of interest locally and internationally with over 200 people tuning in from countries as far and wide as China, the UAE and Japan.
I sat down with special guests, Russel Howcroft - Founder and Chairman of The Grid, and Cory Davie - Managing Partner, Australia Pacific, at Control Risks, to discuss the key opportunities and challenges in global markets for businesses in 2021 and how creativity enables companies to adapt and be competitive in response to global trends.
Monitoring risks, developments and trends will be essential for businesses in their quest for opportunities.
The top five risks identified by Control Risks and discussed by Cory during the forum are set out in their RiskMap 21.
Global Victoria Women (GVw) continues to inspire global possibilities for Victorian businesswomen, and this month has been no exception.
In partnership with Asialink Business, the Government of Karnataka, India, and in collaboration with our VGTI office in Bangalore, we hosted a panel of influential women leaders who spoke about the impact they have made at local and global levels, and how Victorian and Karnataka organisations can partner to realise the full potential for women in technology and entrepreneurship.
The Australia-Indonesia Centre, and our VGTI office in Jakarta joined forces to bring together female business leaders from the region to share their experiences and inspiration in charting a path towards inclusive economic growth.
Share your stories and grow your networks by joining the GVw LinkedIn Group and stay up to date with our GVw activities for 2021.
Study Melbourne's inaugural Hub opens in Shanghai
In other exciting news, Study Melbourne celebrated a milestone this month with the opening of their first student hub in Shanghai and officially launched by our Commissioner to China, Brett Stevens (pictured left).
The Hub will support the short-term economic recovery of the international student sector, provide a collaborative working space for Chinese students and reinforce Melbourne and Victoria as a world-class education partner.
Study Melbourne Hubs will open soon in Ho Chi Minh City, and Kuala Lumpur where there is a strong interest in studying abroad and online study, and will sit alongside our network of Trade and Investment (VGTI) offices.
SportNXT Melbourne 2021
This November, Melbourne will play centrefield when it plays host to one of the most significant business summits in the Southern Hemisphere.
The SportNXT Melbourne 2021 global sport business summit will bring together global, regional and domestic leaders from all sectors of the sports industry - face-to-face and virtually - to create, share and connect.
The year ahead for Global Victoria
Looking ahead, the team at Global Victoria will continue to promote Victoria's capability on the international stage, champion the interest of Victorian exporters and increase the number of Victorian companies exporting.
