Not unlike the World Cup, the selection for Sibos host cities happens many years in advance. This is how we secure the best convention venues in the world to bring together the global financial industry.</p> Early last year, we began the selection process for Sibos 2018 with several strong Asia-Pacific contenders putting in their bid.</p> On 12 June, 2014, the SWIFT executive team approved Sydney for the much coveted role of Sibos host city for 2018. Sydney stood out with a highly coordinated city bid that involved local government, industry and community.</p> It will be the third time the largest city in Australia hosts the most prestigious financial services event in the world. The events of 1997 and 2006 proved very successful, which add to Sydney’s appeal to host Sibos a third time.</p> Besides its iconic –and breath-taking- Opera House, Sydney is known for it being a major financial and economic hub, not just for Australia, but for the whole Asia-Pacific region. It provides a quarter of the national GDP, and is home to the headquarters of more than 90 banks, the regional headquarters of over 500 multinational companies, as well as the majority of Australia’s foreign subsidiary banks. Sydney is also home to the Australian Securities Exchange, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.</p> Australia’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner</strong>, remarked, “With 74 per cent of Australia’s finance and insurance industry based in NSW, we are thrilled to host financial leaders from around the world in Sydney in 2018.”</p> Lynn Mathews, Chairman of the Australian National Member Group, and SWIFT Board Member</strong>, commented, “The financial industry gets substantial commercial value out of Sibos, and Sibos brings enormous economic advantages to the city hosting it. Sydney is a great choice to host Sibos in four years: it has proven itself both as an important global financial hub, and as a phenomenal host able to bring great value –and zest- to Sibos.”</p> Business Events Sydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith </strong>said, “Sydney is Australia’s global business event destination of choice, as demonstrated by its top 20 ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and Union of International Associations (UIA).”</p> Alain Raes, Chief Executive SWIFT APAC and EMEA</strong>, adds, “Sydney is not only a great physical location for Sibos, it’s an apt symbol of the innovative, dynamic and collaborative SWIFT community. SWIFT has been in Australia for over 30 years, and its leadership in driving our industry forward to embrace new technologies and new business opportunities is important not just for the Asia-Pacific, but for our global community.” </p>