A new Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Tokyo will grow investment and export opportunities for New South Wales to help create and support jobs, coordinating an expanded program of engagement in the crucial Japanese market.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian today revealed that a stand-alone NSW Trade and Investment office will be opened in Tokyo, including a tripling of staff numbers in Japan from two full-time staff to six, delivering on the vision outlined in the Government’s Global NSW strategy launched late last year and funded in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
“We’ll be growing NSW’s presence in Japan and appointing additional staff based in Tokyo including a new Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner as part of our rejuvenation of the state’s international trade and investment network,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Under an improved structure, Japan will become the first of six international hubs, with extra resources managed regionally by our new Senior Trade and Investment Commissioners.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said Japan was a priority market for Australian exporters.
“Exports were worth more than $100 billion to NSW before COVID-19 hit, making up about 16 per cent of the state economy last year. Japan remains our largest single goods export market, making up about one-quarter of our total exports,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Sales of agricultural goods, resources, manufactured items and services to Japan are vital to communities across the state, supporting existing jobs and creating new ones as we rebuild after the global pandemic.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet added that $180 million was allocated in this year’s NSW Budget to support the Global NSW strategy in attracting investment from around the world to NSW, helping to create jobs and cementing the state’s position as an economic powerhouse in the region.
“The NSW Government has a long-established and close collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government ranging across urban design, healthy and smart cities, education, trade promotion and investment attraction and start-ups,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Japanese businesses are among the state’s oldest and largest investors in sectors such as resources, energy, food and agribusiness. More recently, Japanese investment interest has evolved towards technology, renewable energy, health and infrastructure opportunities including the Aerotropolis, making Japan an important market for us to nurture.”
The UK, Europe and Israel will be the next hub to see the appointment of an Agent General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner based in London, followed by ASEAN; Greater China; the Americas; and the Middle East and India.
