Australia’s U.S. ambassador sees opportunities in Miami
By JP Faber
It is rare for the Australian ambassador to the U.S. to visit Miami. But that is just what the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos did in October. Traveling with his entourage not just to Miami but to nearby Fort Lauderdale, Sinodinos met with politicians, academicians, and business leaders. One of his goals, he said, was “to understand what it is about the U.S. that makes it such a riveting place to do business, to launch products and services… and whether these lessons are transferrable. What is it about the culture, about the attitudes toward risk, about the incentives and tax breaks?”
He chose South Florida as his destination to explore the American spirit because, among other things, “South Florida is the gateway to Latin America, and we want to understand better what is happening in that region and how we can be part of it.”
Sinodinos was also impressed by the caliber of South Florida’s newest crop of residents. “A lot of people are coming here from the financial services sector, but what is important is that financial decision makers are coming here,” he said. “It’s not just the funds under management coming here, it’s the people who make decisions about financing who are coming here and making Miami their base. Which means it’s a place where economic and financial decisions will be made. And that is very important.”
While here, Sinodinos also participated in the induction of several Australian swimmers into Fort Lauderdale’s Swimming Hall of Fame, and the investiture of Miami Beach resident (and Australian native) Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, who was given the Companion of the Order of Australia, their equivalent to a knighthood.
