It’s hoped a new Victorian Government Trade and Investment office set to open in Paris will help to drum up interest in trade and export opportunities for the state’s business sector.
Minister for Trade and Investment, Tim Pallas said the new office in the French capital would open for business in February.
“Our new office in Paris will increase Victoria’s presence in the vital European market, creating more opportunities for businesses and growing Victorian jobs,” he said.
“Victorian businesses are leaders in manufacturing and innovation, and our trade and investment network is helping to get their products in front of overseas buyers and investors.”
Comprising one-sixth of the global economy and with an estimated nominal GDP of €16.6 trillion, the European Union is one of the world’s economic superpowers and a key trade partner for Victoria.
With two-way merchandise trade between Victoria and the EU already totalling $17.3 billion in 2021/22, the additional European presence will drive new opportunities and raise the profile of Victorian businesses, particularly target sectors including life sciences, technology (edtech, sportstech and fintech), renewable energy and defence, said Minister Pallas.
He said the office will also be working to attract new investment from Europe back into Victoria, helping to grow the Victorian economy and create more local jobs.
Following an extensive recruitment process, Gönül Serbest has been appointed as the new Commissioner for Europe, commencing on 1 February.
With over 13 years’ experience in international trade, Ms Serbest has most recently held the position of CEO of Global Victoria, overseeing the government’s network of international Trade and Investment offices and leading the largest ever series of Victorian trade missions into global markets.
The CEO of Victoria’s investment attraction agency Invest Victoria, Danni Jarrett, will also become CEO of Global Victoria and oversee an integrated trade and investment agency.
Ms Jarrett has led Invest Victoria since mid-2020 having previously held leadership roles in the Victorian Government for a decade and has a record of securing investments that achieve sustained economic growth.
The new Paris presence will take the state’s Trade and Investment network to 24 offices around the globe, said Minister Pallas.
“International trade and global engagement are vital to creating jobs and growing the Victorian economy, with initiatives generating $627 million in export sales across 3,700 supported Victorian businesses in 2020/21,” he said.
