Western Australia’s Agent General and Trade and Investment Commissioners are back in Perth for the first time since they were first deployed overseas in 2021.

Over the course of the week, Western Australian industry and government representatives had the rare opportunity to hear valuable insights from:

• John Langoulant AO, Agent General for WA in the United Kingdom/Europe. Mr Langoulant previously served as WA’s Under Treasurer from 1995 to 2004, and has extensive knowledge of the WA economy and industry.
• WA Investment and Trade Commissioner for North East Asia Nicole Fasana. Ms Fasana has extensive experience in investment and trade across multiple sectors, with a strong background in managing high-profile projects and leading the development of government programs and strategies.  
• WA Investment and Trade Commissioner for India-Gulf Nashid Chowdhury. With 2 decades of economic development, investment and trade experience across State, Commonwealth and local governments, Ms Chowdhury has a strong background in strategic engagement which has enabled her to develop strong networks throughout South Asia and the Middle East.
• WA Acting Investment and Trade Commissioner for ASEAN Bryce Green. Mr Green has a strong background in communications, media and strategic advisory consulting. Prior to entering the public sector, he was based in Jakarta as a risk management consultant and analyst for one of the region’s premier strategic advisory firms.
• WA Investment and Trade Commissioner for the Americas Natasha Monks. Ms Monks has served in commercial diplomacy roles focused on growing trade and investment linkages with Australia for the Commonwealth Government in the ASEAN and Americas regions.

WA’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for Greater China, Juan Lu, remained in Shanghai ahead of Premier Roger Cook’s investment and trade mission to China which began this week. Ms Lu has over 25 years’ experience and expertise in international investment and trade in Australia and China.

 The week kicked off with an Invest and Trade Western Australia Showcase hosted by the Perth USAsia Centre.

Following a keynote address by Premier Roger Cook, Perth USAsia Centre CEO Professor Gordon Flake chaired a panel where the Agent General and Commissioners shared investment and trade insights and reflections from their markets. 

WA public servants also had the opportunity to hear from the Investment and Trade Commissioners and Agent General about their respective career journeys and the experience they’ve gained at the Forging Your International Leadership Journey session on Tuesday.

 Hosted in collaboration with IPAA WA, the panel session provided an insight into how Invest and Trade WA’s international offices work with local industry and government stakeholders to support the WA Government’s economic diversification priorities. 

The Agent General and Commissioners also participated in the Future Ready Forum – Selling Perth to the World event, hosted in partnership with the Committee for Perth, where they touched on global perceptions of Perth and discussed Invest and Trade WA’s work to raise the international profile of Perth and WA within their respective markets.

 The week’s events were an opportune time for WA industry and government stakeholders to engage with the Commissioners and Agent General and discuss investment and trade priorities for the State.

 Invest and Trade WA’s Perth Hub works in partnership with our extensive network of investment and trade offices across 5 regions, with the new Americas hub led by Ms Monks set to be operational in early 2024.

 To find out more about investment and trade opportunities, reach out to our team at investandtrade@jtsi.wa.gov.au. 

Published on: 23 November 2023