Brisbane shines in Asian Cities of the Future study

The fDi Magazine released the ‘Asian Cities of the Future 2009/10’ study in its December / January edition, ranking the economic, business and financial strengths of 133 cities across the Asia Pacific region.

Brisbane’s second ranking in the ‘Best FDI Strategy’ category follows Hong Kong in lead position, a city that has more than five million residents than Brisbane and 26 investment offshore offices. Brisbane was also ranked tenth in the overall ‘Top 10 Asian Cities of the Future’, making it the first time the city has been ranked in the study.

Brisbane Marketing’s Investment Attraction division leads the FDI strategy for Brisbane in conjunction with Brisbane City Council, and managed the City’s submission for the study.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said Brisbane’s second place ranking reflected the fact Brisbane was now seen as a world-class destination for business and investment.

“Businesses are attracted by Brisbane’s highly skilled and creative workforce, consistently strong economic performance, high population growth and our relaxed lifestyle,” Cr Newman said.

“Brisbane’s diverse economy has benefited strongly from BCC’s 8-strong Sister City relationships which have netted us millions of dollars in overseas business and the foreign investment activities undertaken by Brisbane Marketing, such as our work with Seattle and Spanish cities.”

Brisbane Marketing’s Investment Attraction division is charged with attracting inward investment and managed Brisbane’s submission for the ‘Asian Cities of the Future 2009-10’ study.

Investment Attraction Director, Daniel Havas said the agency is continually refining its FDI strategy to help Brisbane capture investment opportunities within a rapidly changing economic landscape.

“Brisbane’s ranking in this study is a tremendous result given the size of our city compared with others in the top ten,” Mr Havas said.

“This is also a great example of how robust Brisbane’s FDI strategy is, especially when many of the top ten cities in the list have investment offices around the world.

“Brisbane Marketing has sharpened its FDI focus in the Asia Pacific on areas such as life sciences, clean energy, food and beverage and information communication technology.

These sectors are expected to expand dramatically as Asia’s rising middle class will
stimulate further demand,” Mr Havas said. 

Australian cities Melbourne and Perth were also ranked in the FDI category, taking fourth and eighth place respectively.

The study was published in the fDi December/January edition and will be distributed at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland in January.

Notes for media:

Methodology used to rank cities

fDi Cities of the Future shortlists were created by the independent collection of data across 133 Asia Pacific cities. The data was set under seven categories, including:

1. Best economic potential
2. Most cost effective
3. Best human resources
4. Best quality of life
5. Best infrastructure
6. Most business friendly
7. Best FDI promotion strategy

• Michael Thompson, CEO (Asia Pacific), Cushman & Wakefield
• Roy Melick, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
• Anupam Prakash, Practice leader (Asia Pacific), Hewitt Associates
• Lawrence Yeo, CEO, AsiaBIZ Strategy

1. Singapore
2. Tokyo (Japan)
3. Shanghai (China)
4. Hong Kong 
5. Seoul (South Korea)
6. Beijing (China)
7. Melbourne (Australia)
8. Guangzhou (China)
9. Osaka (Japan)
10. Brisbane (Australia)

1. Hong Kong 
2. Brisbane (Australia)
3. Guangzhou (China)
4. Melbourne (Australia)
5. Bangalore (India)
6. Ulsan (South Korea)
7. Chongqing (China)
8. Perth (Australia)
9. Tokyo (Japan)
10. Auckland (New Zealand)

• Burger Innenausbau GmbH
• TextOre Australasia
• Barrett Burston Malting
• Coca-Cola Amatil (Aust) Pty Ltd
• Ludowici Mineral Processing Equipment
• Komatsu Australia Pty Ltd
• BG Group

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