Experienced, in-market trade and investment manager Pallavi Mishra will lead the State's newest trade office.
Having a presence in Frankfurt – Germany's financial hub – will help South Australia establish stronger ties across continental Europe and take advantage of changing trade and investment opportunities when the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement is finalised.
Ms Mishra recently worked on the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in Berlin providing market insights on emerging investment opportunities in both Europe and India, the latter a market of renewed focus for the State Government in the wake of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
As Europe's biggest player in renewable hydrogen, Germany provides opportunities for investment related to South Australia's Hydrogen Jobs Plan and is a major importer of manufacturing inputs, central to key supply chains.
Germany is South Australia's 27th largest export market, with two-way trade presently worth more than $680 million. The country is the tenth largest source of foreign investment into South Australia with almost $1.2 billion invested since 2003.
The German office is in addition to other South Australian trade and investment offices in the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates while enhancing the operations of the Office of the Agent-General based in London.
Ms Mishra's appointment comes as the State conducts a global search for the lead of South Australia's new Washington DC trade office.
The Washington DC Office will have a key focus on defence-related opportunities and strategic engagement stemming from the AUKUS agreement while seeking the acceleration of investment into renewable energies, the space sector, and partnerships in critical technology and cyber security.
Both offices were funded in the 2023-24 State Budget, with $2.4 million allocated over four years to deliver these new initiatives and grow South Australia's global presence.
As put by Nick Champion
We are very excited about launching a formal European presence in Europe's largest economy, its financial hub, as we seek to unlock additional opportunities for our State.
Pallavi brings a wealth of experience to the South Australian overseas network and will enable us to provide on-the-ground, expert advice and guidance to South Australian companies looking to work with European counterparts.
Her role will also provide invaluable support for German companies interested in learning more about the State's growth in hydrogen and critical technologies.
South Australia's ongoing trade and investment relationship will be further buoyed with the addition of the German office to support the Office of the Agent General in London.
As put by Germany Trade and Investment Manger Pallavi Mishra
I'm incredibly excited to be joining the Government of South Australia.
Having lived and worked in Germany for close to five years I believe I am well-positioned to help South Australia cement itself as an important partner to Germany and Europe.
There are plenty of opportunities for the State to succeed in the German market and I look forward to delivering for the Department and South Australia.
