The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Victorian Government’s Economic Growth Statement, which marks a significant step towards driving further growth and investment in our state.
Victorian Chamber Chief Executive, Paul Guerra, led an advisory committee that contributed to the Statement, ensuring the voice of business was heard in shaping the State Government’s economic priorities. The Economic Growth Statement reflects the Victorian Chamber’s work and advocacy from our Victoria Summit 2021, Cost and Ease of Doing Business in Victoria report and Securing our Energy Future policy paper.
The Statement features four key actions: open doors, cut red tape, build new skills and reach every community and focuses on five priority sectors: advanced manufacturing and defence, health technologies and medical research, circular economy, digital technologies and agribusiness. It also reinforces that Regional Victoria is critical to accelerating the growth of these priority sectors.
The highlights for business include the Industry Development Fund, Boosting Business Skills Mentoring Program, Yes to International Students Fund, boosting exports by Victorian SMEs package, driving growth in Victorian clinical trial activity, confirming Victoria’s status as the Venture Capital capital, slashing regulatory burdens on business, Digital Jobs Program, boosting destination marketing, fast tracking gas projects and enabling faster approvals for renewable energy projects.
The Victorian Government has signalled its clear intent to work alongside business to drive growth. This collaborative approach, coupled with the measures outlined in the statement, will provide the foundations for a stronger, more resilient Victorian economy.
To be attributed to Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra:
“The Economic Growth Statement is a significant step towards driving further growth and investment in our state, providing clarity on the Victorian Government’s priority areas and how our business community can engage. Victoria must be both open for business and open to business.
“The Treasurer announced the process at our State Budget event this year, and the engagement with business was a commitment he made and has kept. It has been a worthwhile exchange of ideas between business and Government and has the potential to ensure ongoing engagement through the Premier’s Business Forums.
“Ultimately it will be the private sector that will need to do the heavy lifting to drive growth and the Economic Growth Statement provides the framework of renewed engagement with the State. By better leveraging Victoria’s assets, we can establish a stronger future for business in Victoria.
“Re-energising initiatives like market led proposals, upskilling business to export and mentoring for businesses and new co-funded programs targeting destination marketing and venture capital funds are clear opportunities for business to turbocharge engagement”
Contact details:
Mikkayla Mossop, media@victorianchamber.com.au, 0423 883 945
