Trade & Investments
20 October, 2024
Connecting jobseekers with South Australia’s fastest growing industries
The Malinauskas Labor Government has released its Jobs and Skills Outlook 2024, highlighting industries with high current and future demand for skilled workers. South Australia requires about 146,000 qualifications over the next five years, with over half achievable through vocational education and training (VET). Key sectors forecast to experience high growth include health and care, construction, defence, and manufacturing. The State Government is investing significantly in these high-demand areas to support local jobseekers.
29 Sept -2024
Latest survey results from the Property Council of Australia and Procore show South Australia’s confidence rate rose by 11 points to 132 in the September quarter, surpassing the national average of 108. This positions South Australia above Western Australia and 45% higher than Victoria, which ranked lowest.The survey reflects industry views on state government performance, with the SA Government recognized as the best performing nationally, thanks to the 74 initiatives in the Housing Roadmap addressing the housing crisis. In the first three months post-Roadmap, the government implemented several initiatives, including a new infrastructure scheme and a builders panel for small projects.South Australians also have the highest expectations for economic growth, ranking first in categories like forward work schedule expectations and debt finance availability. The Business Council of Australia labeled South Australia the best place to do business, further supported by top rankings in the Housing Industry Association's Housing Scorecard and CommSec’s State of the States report for construction work and dwelling starts.
CEFC invests $70m to help electrify and decarbonise maritime ports
Australia's domestic maritime sector emitted about two million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2021-22.The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has announced a $70 million investment to decarbonise maritime ports in South Australia, focusing on electrifying vehicles and equipment at Flinders Port Holdings (FPH). This marks CEFC's first direct financing in the Australian maritime sector and aims to reduce emissions from shipping, which contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions. The investment will fund projects like hybrid straddle carriers and an electric Automated Rubber Tyre Gantry at the Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal, along with initiatives to replace internal combustion engines with electric alternatives and install solar PV systems. FPH aims for net-zero emissions by 2040 for Scope 1 and 2, and by 2050 for Scope 3 emissions, striving to lead in sustainable port operations.
https://reneweconomy.com.au/cefc-invests-70m-to-help-electrify-and-decarbonise-maritime-ports/
SA beef export to the US at all time high
South Australian beef exports to the US surged by over 285% in the year ending July 2024, reaching $195.7 million compared to $50.8 million the previous year. This growth outpaced other Australian states: NSW (103.5%), WA (64.9%), VIC (73.6%), and QLD (51.4%). Thomas Foods International, a key player in this market, operates a state-of-the-art processing facility in Murray Bridge and has established TFI USA to supply high-quality chilled grass-fed beef. Managing Director Darren Thomas emphasized the USA as a critical market and highlighted their seamless supply chain to meet demand. Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs noted the beef industry's vital role in South Australia's economic growth and pledged support for expanding market access.
https://sabusinesschamber.com.au/news/sa-beef-export-to-the-us-at-all-time-high
New investment program targets international high-growth companies to set up shop in SA
A new $1 million annual Investment Accelerator Program has been launched in South Australia to attract innovative, high-growth interstate and international companies, aiming to create local jobs in key sectors. The program offers up to $100,000 to help businesses establish a presence in the state, focusing on sectors such as health, critical technologies, defence, energy, mining, agribusiness, and creative industries.Invest SA will target companies without a physical presence in South Australia that have been generating revenue for at least 12 months. Funding can be used for office space and services like accounting and marketing. Announced in the 2024-25 State Budget, the program supports Invest SA's efforts, which have already attracted over $2 billion in investment in its first two years.
8 Sept 2024
South Australia is increasing its presence across the Americas.
South Australia is expanding its presence in the Americas by appointing a new Business Development Manager in San Francisco on the west coast. This move aims to assist companies in expanding into the state’s second largest export market, valued at $2.12 billion. Mr. Ryan Lipkin has been appointed as the Business Development Manager and will join South Australia’s team of trade and investment specialists already located in New York, Houston, and Washington DC.
https://statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/news/south-australia-grows-its-presence-across-the-americas
03/09/2024
SA wine flows for China wine masterclass
South Australian wine was featured at the South Australian Regional Heroes – Diverse and Distinct Wine Masterclass in Shanghai last week, as part of Wine Australia’s China Roadshow. The roadshow includes nearly 30 wine producers showcasing South Australian wines over a two-week period, offering South Australian wine exporters access to key trade opportunities and the chance to become familiar with the current state of the market. The roadshow visits four tier-one cities – Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chongqing.
27/08/2024
New round of vine resting trial begins
The new vineyard resting trial offers red wine grape growers the potential to save up to $2,000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs. This opportunity comes at a crucial time for the state’s wine industry, which is facing an oversupply of red wine grapes due to challenging market conditions and changing global preferences.
https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/new-round-of-vine-resting-trial-begins
23/08/2024
$1.5 million funding boost for South Australia's community centres
The State Government is enhancing support for community centers in South Australia by launching a $1.5 million grants program. The goal is to promote community involvement and address social isolation. This funding, introduced by Minister for Human Services Nat Cook, acknowledges the valuable role of community centers in organizing programs and activities that contribute to the resilience of local communities.
SA's exports to China hit record high
South Australia's exports have increased to $17.56 billion, with exports to China reaching a record high of $4.23 billion, marking a 54.7% increase from the previous year. The state's food, wine, and agribusiness exports experienced a significant growth of 175.4%, with exports to China valued at $1.88 billion, representing 44.5% of all exports to China. Additionally, the total barley exports from South Australia grew by 6.6% to $802 million, with 78% of the state's barley being exported to China.
https://statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/news/sas-exports-to-china-hit-record-high
Regional Migration Settings discussion paper will be presented to regional business owners.
The Australian Government's Migration Strategy has introduced a new vision for Australia's migration system. This strategy includes a policy roadmap with 8 key actions, as well as over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. As part of the Migration Strategy, the Department of Home Affairs is dedicated to evaluating regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure that migration supports development objectives in regional Australia and does not contribute to the exploitation of migrant workers.
.$1.5 million funding boost for South Australia's community centres
The new funding, initiated by Minister for Human Services Nat Cook, acknowledges the important work of community centers in organizing programs and activities that help strengthen local communities. One-off grants will be available to support community centers that are not already funded through the existing Community and Neighborhood Development Program run by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Eligible centers can apply for grants of up to $30,000 each in the Grants SA 2024-25 Community Centers Round, which is now open for applications.
South Australia is preparing for an aging population in the future.
South Australia's planning system has once again been recognized as the top-performing system in the nation. It has been ranked number one in the Retirement Living Council's national planning report card, excelling across four key pillars: legislative framework, efficiency, clarity, and progressive planning.
29/07/2024
.Contested wind project in South Australia wins federal nod as state heads towards 100 pct net renewables
The Palmer wind project in South Australia has finally received federal environmental approval after more than 10 years since it was first proposed. Initially planned as a 114-turbine facility in 2013, the 288 megawatt (MA) project was later reduced to 103 turbines due to opposition from local landowners, including then AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and his associate Stirling McGregor, who was particularly adamant about rejecting the proposal despite not residing in the area.
8.Solar thermal powered green methanol plant wins planning consent in Port Augusta
Plans have been approved to develop a solar thermal powered methanol production facility in Port Augusta, South Australia. Vast Renewables, an Australian concentrated solar thermal energy specialist, has received planning consent for Solar Methanol 1 (SM1). The plant is expected to produce up to 7,500 tonnes a year of green methanol for shipping and aviation.
22/07/2024
.South Australia locks in federal funds to become first grid in world to reach 100 per cent net wind and solar
South Australia has received federal funding to become the first non-hydro grid in the world to achieve 100% net renewables. The funding deal, known as a Renewable Energy Transformation Agreement, involves the federal government underwriting a minimum of one gigawatt of new wind and solar generation capacity, along with an additional 400 MW (1,600 MWh) of storage. This initiative aims to ensure that South Australia reaches its target of 100% net renewables by 2027.
Jacob’s Creek and Barossa enter a new era as leaders in the wine industry merge.
Jacob’s Creek, Orlando Wines, and St Hugo, all prominent Barossa Valley wine brands, have been acquired through a merger between two major wine companies. Accolade, one of Australia’s largest wine businesses, will merge with Pernod Ricard’s Australian, New Zealand, and Spanish wine businesses in a deal that will bring these South Australian brands under one umbrella. The merger was announced this week by Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWL), a consortium of investors that recently took full ownership of Accolade.
.South Australia tops post-tariff wine exports to China
In May, Australian wine exporters shipped almost 10 million liters of bottled wine to China, with South Australian wine businesses leading the surge after the tariffs were dropped earlier this year. Federal agriculture minister Murray Watt stated that the total value of bottled wine sent to China in May was $142.2 million, marking the fourth highest monthly export figure since the peak of trade in 2019.
https://sabusinesschamber.com.au/news/south-australia-tops-post-tariff-wine-exports-to-china
SA's unemployment rate below national average
South Australia's unemployment rate has once again fallen below the national average. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) labour force figures for June 2024, the unemployment rate in South Australia is now at 3.9 per cent, which is lower than the national rate of 4.1 per cent. Additionally, South Australia's unemployment rate is on par with New South Wales and Queensland, and lower than that of Victoria and the Northern Territory.
https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/sas-unemployment-rate-below-national-average
16/07/2024
South Australian copper mine Hillside gets a boost
In a deal worth about $393 million, MACH will purchase all of the remaining shares in Rex. The Rex board unanimously supports the transaction. "The deal offers a guaranteed value and a substantial premium, with a 98% increase compared to Rex's 90-day VWAP (volume-weighted average price), and provides an opportunity for Rex shareholders to cash in at a 10-year high in share price," said Rex CEO Richard Laufmann.
https://www.australianmining.com.au/copper-gets-a-boost-at-hillside/
16/07/24
The South Australian government backs up its green iron credentials at the global level
Representatives from major global companies in industries such as mining, steel, and energy are converging on Adelaide for a significant forum focused on investing in South Australia's green iron and steel future. The South Australian government has presented a strategy to position the state as a leader in the global decarbonization of iron and steel, unveiling the Green Iron and Steel Strategy today.
24/06/2024
New developments at Lot Fourteen by Bombardier
Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has recently established itself in South Australia, setting up its new office at Lot Fourteen. The Adelaide-based office will focus on Bombardier Defense services, in line with the expanding defense sector in South Australia. Additionally, from 2026, Lot Fourteen will house the new Australian Defence Technologies Academy, with a $60 million investment from the Federal and State Governments.
https://www.aedasa.com.au/blog/new-beginnings-at-lot-fourteen/
18/06/2024
Adelaide's flourishing Entrepreneurial ecosystem supports innovation and business growth
The entrepreneurial ecosystem in Adelaide is thriving, with Adelaide start-ups increasing in value by 19% since 2023, reaching $1.9 billion, according to Start-up Genome's 2024 Global Start-up Ecosystem Report. With several international ventures now based in the city, Adelaide is quickly becoming an attractive and competitive location for start-ups and scaleups. Its innovative spirit and abundant opportunities are enabling businesses to flourish locally and expand into global markets.
12 June 2024
South Australian Government announces infrastructure plan for future school growth and investment
A comprehensive re-evaluation of the process for determining public school infrastructure priorities and investments is being presented, introducing a new framework for the fair allocation of funding over the coming decades. The release of the infrastructure plan aligns with last week’s State Budget announcement of $250 million allocated to school sites. This includes $155 million for the construction of a new high school in support of the growing population in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, $63 million for a new primary school and preschool to cater to families in Mount Barker, and a $38 million investment to address critical upgrades for schools across the state. The plan will guide the Department for Education’s future management of its sites and building inventory, which currently consists of about 5,700 buildings spread across 900 public schools, preschools, and children’s centers throughout the state.
27 May 2024
New directors in India to shine the spotlight on SA
The South Australian state Government has appointed two in-country directors in India, which is the state’s fourth largest export market valued at $1.1 billion in the year to March 2024. Mr. Kamran Khan and Ms. Priya Pankaj will be based in Chennai and Mumbai respectively, and their role is to lead export growth, facilitate and secure foreign direct investment into SA from India. Mr Khan and Ms Pankaj will collaborate in key sectors of growth for South Australia and with companies that have an ongoing relationship with India and South Australia. This is in line with the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA).
https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/new-directors-to-shine-the-spotlight-on-sa
20th May 2024
SA welcomes China delegation as agriculture opportunities strengthened
This week, South Australia is hosting a delegation of officials from Guangdong, China, who are visiting the state to explore potential trade and investment opportunities and discuss mutual research interests. The visit follows a successful trade mission to China in March 2024, led by Minister Clare Scriven, which included a meeting with the Guangdong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The Chinese officials from two organizations will engage in discussions at Flinders University regarding the expansion of seaweed cultivation before visiting the South Australian Research and Development Institute's (SARDI) West Beach facility. SARDI serves as the research division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia.
15th May
Exports from South Australia are growing again
South Australia's merchandise exports reached $17.7 billion in the year to March 2024, showing a growth of 2.8% while the nationwide exports decreased by 10% during the same period. South Australia has consistently outpaced the nation in export growth for the eighth consecutive month and is the only state to experience export growth for the third consecutive month. China remains the state's largest export destination, followed by the United States and Malaysia as the second and third-largest export destinations, respectively.
https://sabusinesschamber.com.au/news/state-exports-grow-again
Exports from South Australia are growing again
South Australia's merchandise exports reached $17.7 billion in the year to March 2024, showing a growth of 2.8% while the nationwide exports decreased by 10% during the same period. South Australia has consistently outpaced the nation in export growth for the eighth consecutive month and is the only state to experience export growth for the third consecutive month. China remains the state's largest export destination, followed by the United States and Malaysia as the second and third-largest export destinations, respectively.
https://sabusinesschamber.com.au/news/state-exports-grow-again
