New Trade and Investment Commissioner for China

Published Wednesday, 02 January, 2019 at 10:34 AM

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the appointment of Julie-Anne Nichols as the Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for China.

Based in Shanghai, the Commissioner is the Queensland Government’s most senior representative in China and is charged with fostering trade and investment ties between Queensland and China.

“This is a key role for Queensland that requires strong stakeholder liaison and leadership abilities,” the Premier said.

“Ms Nichols has been the Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner in Hong Kong since February 2017 and was previously the Senior Trade Commissioner for Austrade in Guangzhou and in Singapore, so her experience across Asia is outstanding.

“She is well placed to represent Queensland’s interests in trade and investment across all industries and has an extensive knowledge of the Chinese market.”

Julie-Anne Nichols was raised and educated in Queensland, securing formal qualifications including a Master of Business Administration (Queensland University of Technology), a Bachelor of International Business (Griffith University), a Diploma from the Institute of Export Management and a Graduate Diploma in Mandarin Chinese Language (Griffith).

She has lived and worked in Shanghai for 10 years managing teams across eastern China and North East Asia, so she is ideally placed to boost Queensland’s trade and investment links in this key market.

China is Queensland’s largest two-way trade partner and export market, and a major investor in the State across a range of industries.

China is also Queensland’s largest source of international students and visitors.

In 2017-18, Queensland’s merchandise exports to China were valued at $22.4 billion, representing 30.3% of Queensland’s total merchandise exports and 21.3% of Australia’s total merchandise exports to China.

Ms Nichols will also oversee the 30th anniversary of the Queensland Government Sister-State Agreement with Shanghai Municipal Government, to be commemorated in 2019.

The Premier paid tribute to Zijian Zhang, Queensland’s Trade and Investment Commissioner for China since 2002, who retires this month.

“Mr Zhang has made a significantcontribution to the Queensland-China relationship, provided outstanding leadership in a constantly evolving market,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

The Queensland Government has a significant presence in China, with offices in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu and Guangzhou.

Trade and Investment Queensland operates 15 international offices in 12 markets.

For more information, visit www.tiq.qld.gov.au

Media Contact:                

Zoe Russell – 0439 982 347