FORMER Property Council of Australia and Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA) chief executive Peter Verwer has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction.
Verwer has been appointed the new head of the government’s Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce, which will seek to attract international businesses and talent to call Australia home under a new initiative to support the post-COVID recovery and boost local jobs.
Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the initial focus will be on three key sectors – advanced manufacturing, financial services (including FinTech) and health.
“Australia has always been an attractive destination for talent and investment, but given our relative success economically, from a health perspective, and socially, we will be even more attractive.
“We want to capitalise on this and be very focussed on attracting key businesses and global super talent to Australia. This will aid our recovery and boost jobs for Australians,” Minister Tudge said.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said luring more investment from global businesses in emerging industries would be a critical part of Australia’s overall economic recovery from COVID-19.
“Through this taskforce and the ongoing work of Austrade we will highlight to global businesses that our overall economic management and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic strengthens our reputation as a stable and attractive investment destination.
“As our economy continues to transform, attracting talent and investment will be critical to bringing additional business nous and new technologies to help drive growth in the development of high-value goods and services in emerging industries,”
“With one in 10 jobs already supported by foreign direct investment, boosting investment and getting more global businesses to set up shop here will help drive more jobs and opportunities for Australians,” Minister Birmingham said.
