Trade and Investment


New South Wales has extensive links to international markets. In 2008-09, the State's exports of goods and services were valued at over A$60 billion.

New South Wales dominates Australia's services exports. The State provides 41 per cent of all services exports from Australia and is the nation's premier tourist destination, as well as a centre for international learning and business.

Trade agreements

New South Wales is well positioned to benefit from liberalisation of bilateral goods and services trade. To date, Australia has free trade agreements (FTAs) with New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the United States. Negotiations are underway with China, Malaysia, Japan, the Gulf Cooperation Council and ASEAN (jointly with New Zealand). Feasibility studies on FTAs are being undertaken with Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and India. Pacific Island trade ministers have also agreed to consult on a way forward for a free trade area in the Pacific region.

Foreign direct investment

Australia was ranked as the 11th most attractive destination in the world for foreign direct investment (FDI) in A.T. Kearney's 2007 FDI Confidence Index survey. The total stock of foreign investment in Australia topped A$1.7 trillion in 2008.

Forty-eight per cent of the top 500 companies in Australia are located in New South Wales.

Financial hub

Sydney is Australia's finance capital and growing in importance as a regional financial hub in the Asia Pacific. In 2007-08, Australia's finance and insurance sector contributed over $81 billion to the economy.

Sydney offers Australia's largest finance sector, a time-zone bridging the close of the United States and opening of the London markets, a highly educated and multilingual workforce, close links to growing Asian markets, and a quality lifestyle second to none.

The Australian Stock Exchange, based in Sydney, is one of the world’s most active and is the first major market to open every day.

Facts and figures

Industry & Investment NSW maintains a report on the latest research and industry data to benchmark NSW against selected international business locations and other Australian states.

The NSW Competitiveness Report shows the State's competitive advantages and provides valuable information for people considering investing in Australia or the Asia Pacific.




Industry & Investment NSW
Sydney Australia