Open, prosperous and talented, Australia is a hub for business. Our innovative economy attracts multinationals, start-ups and research organisations from around the world. These investors are attracted by our strong, globally connected economy that is projected to grow by 1.6% in 2023. Our trade and investment relationships with the world’s fastest growing economies mean we are a natural gateway for international business, with preferential access to the dynamic Asian and Indo-Pacific markets.  

Our strength is in our diversity. Australia is multicultural and welcoming, with a highly educated, creative workforce. As a nation we are renowned for quality and innovation across multiple industries, including research and education, agriculture and food, health, renewable energy and technology. This reputation and our quality of life attracts and retains skilled talent from across the globe.  

Our fast-growing tech sector is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere valued at over A$167 billion. Australia was the incubator for Google Maps, wi-fi, the black box flight recorder and the Cochlear implant. 

There is no better place to do business than Australia. To discover how we can help you and your business, visit: austrade.gov.au. 

The UK is a leading global FinTech hub with a thriving ecosystem and international talent pool spanning the whole country. With an increasing number of FinTech firms exporting globally from the UK, we are continuing to set the global standard on the application of technology, and more broadly, innovation in financial services. 

According to The Global City, with nearly 90,000 finance and insurance firms in the UK, London has one of the world’s highest concentrations of financial and professional firms. There is also a range of rapidly growing regional clusters, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol, Belfast and Cardiff. All of which offer a deep talent pool, well-established industry specialisations and supportive local policy initiatives. 

The UK has set the global benchmark for policy-led innovation, with key initiatives such as the creation of the FCA’s Regulatory Sandbox, Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN), Open Banking framework and AI Sector Deal. 

The UK FinTech sector boasts several strengths that have contributed to its success and prominence: 

• Strong Regulatory Environment: The UK has established a supportive and innovative regulatory framework for FinTech companies, fostering a conducive environment for their growth and development.  
• Access to Capital: The presence of numerous venture capital firms, angel investors, and financial institutions in the UK provides ample funding opportunities for FinTech start-ups and scale-ups.  
• World-Class Talent: The UK’s financial services industry attracts top-notch talent, including technologists, entrepreneurs, and experts in finance and regulation, bolstering the FinTech sector with their expertise. 
• Robust Infrastructure: The country’s advanced technological infrastructure, including high-speed internet and digital connectivity, facilitates the growth and adoption of FinTech solutions 
• Government Support: The UK government has shown continuous support for the FinTech sector through initiatives, grants, and incentives, encouraging innovation and research. 
• International Connectivity: London, as a global financial hub, attracts international talent, investors, and partnerships, enabling UK FinTech companies to access a broader market and expand globally.  
• Collaboration Opportunities: The UK’s FinTech ecosystem encourages collaboration between start-ups, established financial institutions and technology companies, leading to the creation of new and innovative solutions.  
• Focus on Innovation: FinTech companies in the UK are known for their focus on innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of technology to improve financial services and customer experiences. 

Germany is the world’s fifth largest economy and the largest market in Europe. Germany's GDP in 2022 was around USD 4.1 trillion, which is 25 % of the total GDP of the European Union. Its population was around 83 million, which is 19 % of the total population of the European Union.  

The German economy is both highly industrialized and diversified – with equal focus placed on services and production. 10 % of European manufacturing companies are German. In the manufacturing sector alone, they generate more than 30 % of the gross value added in the EU. This is one of the highest shares in Europe, accounting for more than a fifth of Germany's total value added. The German market is driven by small and medium-sized enterprises, and the dynamic trade links within Europe and beyond offer a wealth of business opportunities. Germany offers a large and stable customer base for investors as it is the largest domestic market in Europe. Germany's highly innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the country's exports. They account for more than 99.3% of all companies and employ 55% of all those working in Germany. Many of these SMEs are world market leaders in their respective niche segments. Together with world-leading firms like Bayer, BASF, Daimler, Volkswagen and Siemens, the so-called German “Mittelstand” forms the German industrial base. Germany's location at the heart of Europe and its integration into the global economy allows companies to share knowledge, products and people across a global network. More and more foreign companies, benefiting from Germany's excellent business environment and above-average productivity rates, are choosing Germany as a key production location. Germany has an excellent reputation for its dynamic and innovative research and development (R&D) environment. Within the EU, the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) gives Germany one of the highest ranks in the group of the leading innovators. Due to the high density of internationally active companies, Germany is an attractive market for start ups, and especially for Fintech’. More that 75 % of German Fintech’ firms have a cooperation with established companies and the average annual revenue for Fintech’ firms in 2022 is expected to have reached 11.7 billion USD.  

Indo-German relations 

Trade relations between India and Germany date back over 500 years and are deeply intertwined. Germany is India's most important trading partner within the EU and among the top ten global trading partners. There has been an increase in bilateral trade over the years, and German companies have discovered new business and investment opportunities in India, as have Indian companies in Germany. Germany's total FDI in India from April 2000 to March 2023 is over USD 14 billion. There are more than 2,000 German companies operating in India and more than 200 Indian companies operating in Germany. In the fiscal year 2022-23 Germany's exports to India amounted to about USD 15.9 billion, while imports from India amounted to about USD 10.1 billion. The main German exports were machinery, chemical products, aircraft and aircraft parts as well as electronics. The main Indian exports to Germany are chemical products, textiles, machinery and electronics.

Israel, the Startup Nation, is a young and vibrant democracy located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, at the heart of West Asia. 

Israel, a small country that faced numerous challenges throughout the years, from security to water and development challenges, has developed extensive entrepreneurship and innovation scene with more than 5,000 start-ups and tech companies responsible to some of the most groundbreaking technological developments of today. 

Israel attributes great importance to research and development (R&D) and holds the highest number of startups per capita. Israel enjoys the highest rate of Governmental investment in R&D with more than 4% of GDP and has a strong viable venture capital industry. All major international companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft and IBM hold development centers in Israel to tap into Israeli knowledge and capabilities. There are over 300 cyber companies in Israel including a dedicated cyber-park - Cyberspark, located in Beer Sheva, Israel’s Cyber Capital. 

Facing challenges of water scarcity and depletion of natural water resources, Israel has developed countless water technologies and solutions including water desalination. Israel treats 80% of its domestic wastewater, which is recycled for agricultural use, and nearly 50% of the total water is being used for agriculture. Israel has also pioneered the drip irrigation technology by providing the roots of plants just the right quantity of water drop by drop. 

Israel is also known around the globe for being a world leader in agriculture technologies. Israel’s success lies in the determination and ingenuity of farmers and scientists and close cooperation between R&D and industry, developing a flourishing agriculture sector in a difficult environment with limited water resources. 

Israel has embraced solar energy over 30 years ago. Over 90% of Israeli homes use solar energy for water heating. According to government figures, the country saves 8% of its electricity consumption per year because of its solar energy use in heating.  

Jerusalem, Israel’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the world, holds great religious importance to Jews, Christians and Muslims. The country is full of archeological and historical sites that are a proof for the rich past the land of Israel has and the role it has played as an important trade route from Asia to Europe. The lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea – is a hypersaline lake situated in the eastern part of Israel. At the altitude of -408m, the Dead Sea’s unusually high salt concentration means that people can easily float thanks to natural buoyancy. 

The Israeli academic institutions are ranked among the best in the world and since 2002, eight Israeli scientists have been awarded with Nobel prizes in chemistry and Economics. Leading Israeli Universities include Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, Haifa University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Weizmann Institute of Science. 

Israel is also known as the "land of milk and honey" and the Israeli cuisine is rich and abundant with fresh ingredients and a combination of local dishes native to Israel and dishes brought to Israel by Jews from the Diaspora. It incorporates many foods traditionally eaten in Levantine, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines such as falafel, hummus, msabbha, shakshouka, couscous, and za'atar. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a basic ingredients in every meal while the most popular street food is falafel or deep fried balls of ground chicken peas stuffed in pita bread with a variety of salads. 

Population: 97.5 lakhs 

                      Jews (73.5%) 

                      Arabs2 (21.0%) 

                      Others (5.5%) 

Languages: Hebrew, Arabic (official) 

Capital: Jerusalem 

Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS) 

Establishment State Date: 14.5.1948