New Queensland trade commissioner in Hong Kong

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced Ms Julia Herries had been appointed Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Hong Kong.

The commissioner is the Queensland Government representative in Hong Kong, and fosters trade and investment between Queensland and Hong Kong.

Ms Herries is a respected businesswoman with extensive experience in international education and foreign investment who has lived and worked in Hong Kong for the past decade.

She was previously Director of Executive Education for the University of Chicago in Hong Kong and has held senior economic and investment roles with the Royal Bank of Scotland, Invest Hong Kong and accounting firm EY.

Ms Herries also holds a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies and speaks Mandarin.

Announcing the appointment, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Ms Herries would begin work on Monday, leading the Hong Kong office of Trade and Investment Queensland across a range of priority sectors.

“Ms Herries is well placed to represent Queensland interests in promoting trade and investment across all industries and has an extensive knowledge of the Greater Bay Area, including Southern China,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“She is a strategic thinker who will lead our Hong Kong team in promoting Queensland exports and building the state’s investment profile there.

“She will have a particular focus on growth sectors such as aged care, where Queensland offers world-class innovation – and on consolidating our traditional export strengths in products such as processed and fresh foods.”

Queensland's merchandise exports to Hong Kong totalled $380.1 million in 2017–18, and there were 72,317 Hong Kong visitors to Queensland over the same period.

There were 3,323 international student enrolments to Queensland from Hong Kong in 2018.

Ms Herries will commence in the role of Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Hong Kong on 22 July 2019.

She joins 11 other trade and investment commissioners employed by Trade and Investment Queensland who promote Queensland exports and investment around the world.

ENDS

Media contact: Chris O’Brien 0419 774 004