MELBOURNE: The City of Melbourne has developed an international engagement framework and an Asean development strategy to cope with an expected expansion of trade and business in the region, the Lord Mayor Robert Doyle told a Malaysian business seminar here yesterday.
“As Malaysia develops and works towards achieving its goal of becoming a developed economy by 2020, opportunities will only increase,” he said at the event organised by the Australia Malaysia Business Council, Victoria (AMBC, Vic) and hosted by accounting firm Pitcher Partners.
Doyle said Melbourne’s international engagement strategy was focused on creating markets for business in areas of mutual interest.
The Lord Mayor said Melbourne had much to offer with its reputation as being “the world’s most liveable city; friendliest city; most admired knowledge city; and, the ultimate sporting city.”
“It’s what we call ‘Brand Melbourne’ and it works around the world,” he said.
Doyle said AMBC, Vic was doing a “magnificent job” promoting bilateral trade between the State of Victoria and Malaysia.
“As the Malaysian economy expands and diversifies at a rapid rate, your organisation will become increasing important,” he said.
AMBC Vic president, Joe Perri, told the seminar his council was one of the most active and professional councils in Victoria, working closely with Australian Trade Commission and Malaysia External Trade Development Corp and other government agencies.
The Malaysian Consul-General here, Datuk Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya, gave an insight into the various Malaysian business and trade programmes and incentives while the Victorian State Minister for Industry, Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio spoke on the goals and objectives of her government in regard to development and overseas engagement. — Bernama