Data from global investment consultant fDi Markets shows Victoria attracted $8.1 billion in overseas investment in 2021-22, well ahead of New South Wales ($6.1 billion) and Western Australia ($5.8 billion).
The Victorian renewable energy ($4.8 billion), software and IT services (almost $600 million) and electronic components (more than $460 million) sectors proved most attractive to overseas investors.
Invest Victoria provided its analysis of the nationwide figures as it released a report that showed new investments facilitated by the agency over 12 months will create 3,800 jobs and generate more than $430 million in wages.
The International Investment Report 2021-22 shows Invest Victoria’s remit to drive innovation resulted in almost $600 million foreign direct investment in research and development initiatives.
Victoria’s $40 billion digital technology industry and world-class digital technology capabilities have been a strong drawcard for international investors, attracting the likes of IDOM Innovations, a technology and innovation subsidiary of Japan’s largest auto retailer, IDOM Inc, to locate its global headquarters in Melbourne.
IDOM Innovations is one of 15 digital technologies projects facilitated by Invest Victoria over the past 12 months, in addition to strong investment across Victoria’s other priority sectors including renewable energy and agri-food.
Danni Jarrett, CEO of Invest Victoria said, “Competition for investment in the global market has never been tougher. Our advisors in Melbourne and across the globe in our 23 offices bring a human touch to assist investors considering Victoria.”
Invest Victoria also works with Victorian companies to support innovation and growth through the existing $25 million Venture Growth Fund, the $20 million Equity Investment Attraction Fund and the $50 million R&D Cash Flow Loans program.
One beneficiary of the R&D Cash Flow Loan program is Environmental Clean Technologies (ECT), the creator of a lignite drying process capable of reducing emissions in the generation of electricity. A loan supported ECT to establish an R&D facility and a feasibility study for a net-zero emission hydrogen refinery in the Latrobe Valley.
