Qatari investors encouraged to tap into fast-growing startup landscape

DOHA: The State of Victoria, Australia, is extending a strong invitation to Qatari investors, highlighting a wealth of strategic investment opportunit...

DOHA: The State of Victoria, Australia, is extending a strong invitation to Qatari investors, highlighting a wealth of strategic investment opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy, health, sports, agri-food, education, and technology.

Speaking to The Peninsula, Gönül Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa at the Victorian Government Trade and Investment, emphasised the growing potential for collaboration between Qatar and Australia’s fastest-growing state.

“Qatari investors will find Victoria offering a compelling, stable, and globally connected investment environment,” Serbest said. “As Australia’s fastest growing state, Victoria contributes around 25 percent of the national GDP and population, and Melbourne has consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities.”

With a population exceeding 7 million, Victoria offers a highly skilled and diverse workforce, backed by a $129bn startup and innovation ecosystem. “Melbourne is among the top 40 global startup hubs,” Serbest noted. “It provides a fertile ground for Qatari tech and innovation-driven investments, which aligns closely with Qatar’s national vision to strengthen its own startup ecosystem.”

Sport has also become a cornerstone for bilateral engagement, with Victoria’s capital, Melbourne, recognised globally as a leader in sports tech, event management, and infrastructure. “Melbourne is the sporting capital of Australia and a global hub for sports tech and innovation,” Serbest said. She also highlighted the recent successful trade mission timed with the SportNXT conference, which welcomed key Qatari participants, including representatives from the Qatar Foundation and Aspire Academy.