New Tasmanian Trade Advocates

Fruit Growers Tasmania | Tuesday, 10 August 2021, 2.00pm

In recent months three new Tasmanian Trade Advocates and a Strategy Advisor have been appointed by the Department of State Growth, bringing the number of Trade Advocates representing Tasmania on the ground in priority overseas markets to four. The Tasmanian Trade Advocates will leverage their knowledge and contacts to build on existing and create new relationships for industry sectors exporting products and services.

The three new Tasmanian Trade Advocates join Vivian Zhao (based in China) who has directly supported Tasmanian exporters, promotional events and trade missions since 2013.

Tasmanian product and service suppliers currently exporting to the United States (US) are now supported by Tasmanian Trade Advocate Ms Emily Minson and Consultant Mr Chris Oldfield. Emily is based in California, US, and Chris in Tasmania. Both Emily and Chris offer a wealth of extensive knowledge and high-level business and government connections, which are critical tools in leveraging Tasmania’s access into the US market.

The Tasmanian Trade Advocate in Japan, Mr Joe Gayton, has spent over twenty years living and working in Japan. Joe has knowledge, insight and expansive networks connections - including government and business - across the country. With demonstrated experience in Australian export management and a record of achievements in Japan trade and investment facilitation, Joe is very well placed to help Tasmanian businesses achieve greater success in exporting to Japan.

The most recently appointed Tasmanian Trade Advocate, Mr Udai Panicker is based out of Singapore and is supported by the team at Tractus Asia. Udai is an established and respected consultant with tech start-up and B2B marketing and sales experience and he, along with Tractus Asia, will be supporting the Department of State Growth Trade team's focus on creating and expanding trade opportunities in Singapore. Singapore is a strategic gateway into other ASEAN economies who are experiencing strong growth and increasing wealth, presenting new opportunities for Tasmanian exporters. Tractus Asia, with more than 25 years of operation and 11 offices across the ASEAN region, offering the opportunity to provide a strong in-region presence to help Tasmanian companies to acquire market intelligence and tangible support to enter new markets and expand their business.

Contact the Trade team by email at trade@stategrowth.tas.gov.au for more information.