NSW has appointed a senior trade and investment commissioner to work in Tokyo promoting investment and export opportunities in the crucial Japanese market.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says a stand-alone NSW Trade & Investment office will be opened in Tokyo, and staff numbers in Japan will be tripled from two full-time staff to six.
The expansion is part of the vision outlined in the government’s Global NSW strategy launched last year and funded in the 2020/21 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,” Berejiklian said on Nov. 4.
“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 percent of the state economy last year.
“Japan remains our largest single goods export market, taking up about one-quarter of our total exports,” 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,” he said.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said $180 million had been allocated in the Nov. 17 budget to support the Global NSW strategy in attracting investment from around the world to NSW.
