Austria – ‘Investing in Australia: mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other opportunities for Austrian business’ roundtable
Caption: In his welcome, Ambassador Biggs (image left, centre) highlighted opportunities for Austrian business in Australia, with Australia being the 13th largest economy in the world and Australia’s pension system expected to be the second largest globally by 2031 – a major source for Australian investment abroad. © Australian Embassy
On 23 June, the Australian Embassy Vienna, in cooperation with Point Ann Advisory, hosted a business roundtable event on “Investing in Australia: mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and other opportunities for Austrian business”. In his welcome address, Ambassador Ian Biggs said Australia and Austria had many commonalities, including a federal structure and a strong commitment to democratic values. He noted Australia was currently the 13th largest economy in the world, with a government focused on attracting more investment, building partnerships, encouraging dynamism and innovation, and ensuring greater resilience to defend against global volatility. Ambassador Biggs shared that Australia’s pension system was expected to be the second largest by 2031, an important source of capital for Austrian companies and partners across the globe.
Dr John Swieringa (Minister-Counsellor, Australian Treasury Representative, Europe) provided an overview of the Australian economic landscape and Australia’s investment framework. Dr Gabriela Depisch, Martin Depisch and Dr Andreas Ludwig, Point Ann Partners based in Perth and Vienna, offered their perspectives on cross-border M&A in Australia for Austrian businesses, and Mr Samuel Kapsch (COO, Kapsch TrafficCom) shared insights into how Kapsch TrafficCom was contributing to Australia’s intelligent transport solutions market.
Presenters joining online from Australia included Mr Mark Basile (Executive Director for Merger Reform, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), Mr Anuj Goel (Senior Managing Director and Head of Technology, ANZ Macquarie Capital), Mr Scott Grimley and Mr Will Sweeney (Regional Tax and Law Leader Oceania, and Partner, Transaction Advisory, EY Australia), and Mr Sasha Conoplia (Senior Manager Listings, Australian Securities Exchange), demonstrating a whole-of-Australia approach to our outreach with the Austrian trade and investment sectors.
The event concluded with short presentations by Ms Johanna Harvey (Investment Director and Team Lead Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Australian Trade and Investment Commission - Austrade), Mr Igor Sekardi (Director International Relations and Markets, Federation of Industries/Industriellenvereinigung) and Ms Ulrike Straka (Trade Commissioner, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Sydney) discussing how their agencies could best support business and potential investors.
Caption: Dr John Swieringa, the Australian Treasury Representative in Europe, provided an overview of Australia’s economic outlook and investment framework. © Australian Embassy
Caption: Dr Gabriela Depisch from Point Ann Partners offered perspectives on cross-border mergers and acquisitions in Australia for Austrian businesses. © Australian Embassy
Caption: Sasha Conoplia, Senior Manager Listings, Australian Securities Exchange, participated remotely to speak about Australian Securities Exchange trends and opportunities. © Australian Embassy
Caption: Ulrike Straka, Trade Commissioner, on a visit to Austria, said the Advantage Austria office in Sydney was keen to assist Austrian companies in entering the Australian market. © Australian Embassy
Caption: Samuel Kapsch, COO, Kapsch TrafficCom, provided insights into how Kapsch TrafficCom was contributing to Australia’s intelligent transport solutions market. © Australian Embassy
Hungary – roundtable on ‘trade and investment opportunities for Hungarian companies in Australia’
Caption: Organised by the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Australian Embassy to Hungary, the business event in Hungary provided a welcome opportunity for an exchange of experiences among Hungarian companies with a presence in Australia, and key Hungarian and Australian government stakeholders. © Australian Embassy
On 23 April, the Australian Embassy partnered with the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and Invest Victoria for a business event on exploring trade and investment opportunities for Hungarian companies in Australia.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Biggs made the case for why Australia should be a partner of choice for European nations, outlining the numerous advantages and opportunities for Hungary in Australia. Mr Tim Dillon, Agent-General and Trade Commissioner to Europe, Invest Victoria, reiterated that Australia was a reliable trade and investment partner in an increasingly competitive international environment. He highlighted several areas of mutual interest between Australia, Hungary and the state of Victoria, including advanced manufacturing, ICT and digital innovation, agrifood and cleantech, health and life sciences, renewable energy and defence.
The event was opened by Mr Tibor Szakacs and chaired by Mr Adam Fabian-Seremetyev from the HCCI’s Foreign Trade Committee. It was a much-appreciated opportunity to connect with Hungarian businesses present in Australia, or with an interest in entering the Australian market.
Mr Szlovák Szabolcs (Hungarian Trade and Investment Commissioner in Melbourne) offered insights into opportunities and the economic climate in Australia. Mr Balazs Marmarosi (Digital Thinkers) and Mr Tim Cara (GeoWAN) shared their experiences and lessons learned in the dynamic Australian market.
Caption: Tim Dillon, Agent-General and Trade Commissioner to Europe, Invest Victoria, provided an overview of opportunities for Hungarian business in Australia, and highlighted the state State of Victoria’s key sectoral focuses. © Australian Embassy
Slovenia – briefing on ‘Slovenian business opportunities in Australia’
Caption: In their welcome speeches, Australian Ambassador to Slovenia HE Ian Biggs (first image) and Slovenian Ambassador to Australia HE Marko Ham (second image) welcomed the signing of the Australia-Slovenia tax treaty in September 2024 and reiterated their commitment to concluding an Australia-EU free trade agreement. © Australian Embassy
The Australian Embassy was proud to co-host a business event with the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ljubljana on 3 June. The event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the business opportunities arising from the Australia-Slovenia tax treaty and have Slovenian companies share their experiences in Australia and practical insights into entering the Australian market.
Key speakers included Ambassador Biggs, Ambassador Ham, State Secretary Katja Božič (State Secretary responsible for Taxes, Customs Duties and Other Charges and for Improving the Efficiency of Public Spending, Ministry of Finance of Slovenia), Dr John Swieringa (Australian Treasury), Mr Ross Buchanan (Trade and Investment Queensland, Ms Marjana Majerič (Executive Director, Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and Mr Tomaz Trampus and Ms Mateya Slobodnik (acting President and former President of the Slovenian Australian Chamber of Commerce respectively).
Slovenian companies Akrapovič, Cosylab, Impact International, Pivka - Delamaris and VMA generously shared their experiences and practical insights in the Australian market - their successes, and challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Participants acknowledged the significant potential for expanding the trade and investment relationship between Australia and Slovenia, and noted the event being an excellent stage for meaningful dialogue and exchange.
Caption: Slovenian State Secretary Katja Božič, State Secretary responsible for Taxes, Customs Duties and Other Charges and for Improving the Efficiency of Public Spending signed the Australia-Slovenia Tax Treaty on Slovenia’s behalf in Australia in 2024. She said the conclusion of the Treaty was a result of hard efforts by teams in Australia and Slovenia and marked a milestone in the bilateral relationship. © Australian Embassy
Caption: Moderated by Ms Zoe Shreeve (Economic Researcher, Australian Treasury; first left) Slovenian companies generously shared their experiences and practical insights in the Australian market. From left to right: Mr Jaka Carič (Sales Director, Akrapovič), Dr Mark Pleško (CEO, Cosylab), Mr Miha Valenčič (Director, VMA), Ms Asja Jugovec (Business Development Manager, Pivka Delamaris). The panel was joined online from Australia by Mr Aleks Lajovic (Managing Director, Impact International). © Australian Embassy
Caption: The business roundtable event in Ljubljana featured an impressive range of high-level speakers from the Slovenian government and business. Slovenian Australian Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marjana Majerič (first image) said the "tyranny of distance" was a thing of the past thanks to advancements in technology, particularly in transportation and communication. © Australian Embassy
Next steps
Australia remains committed to concluding a free trade agreement with the European Union, and building our bilateral trade and investment partnerships with Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.
We look forward to building on the momentum created with our partners in the months ahead.