A NSW Government website

Talk to an expert in the North Asia region

We can help establish or grow your business in NSW, or to export products from NSW to customers in Japan and Korea.

Key contact

David Lawson 

Trade and Investment Commissioner, Japan & Korea 

 Mr Lawson leads the Japan and Korea team to drive trade and investment across key priority sectors. He also oversees key government-to-government and stakeholder relationships for NSW in North Asia. 

Mr Lawson brings to the role a deep understanding of the region through positions at Austrade serving as Australia’s Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Osaka and as Trade Commissioner in Tokyo. 

Contact us

Tokyo, Japan office

Address

Investment NSW, North Asia Office
9F Kyobashi Trust Tower, 
2-1-3 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku,
Tokyo 104-0031
Japan

Seoul, Republic of Korea office

Address

Australian Trade and Investment Commission
Australian Embassy
18th Floor Kyobo Building
1 Jongro, Jongno-Gu
Seoul 03154
Republic of Korea

Key facts

Japan is Australia’s third-largest source of foreign direct investment ($141.1 billion in 2023) and NSW’s second-largest trading partner, with $28.3 billion in two-way trade (2023-24), mainly driven by coal exports. Relations are boosted by NSW's long-standing sister state agreement with Tokyo Metropolitan Government. 

Korea ranks as NSW’s fifth-largest export market and fourth in two-way trade, with $16.0 billion in total trade for 2023-24. NSW also has an active sister state relationship with Seoul Metropolitan Government. 

The Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA) provides preferential access for Australia's exporters and supports growth in two-way investment. The Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement is one of Australia’s most comprehensive trade agreements, offering improved market access and enhanced protection for NSW businesses in the Korean market.  

Opportunities to grow in NSW 

  • NSW offers a safe and reliable destination for investment.  The NSW economy is the largest in Australia and has been a driver of Australia’s economic growth for decades.   
  • NSW’s deep-water ports, high voltage transmission capacity and renewable energy endowments provide one of the few locations across the Indo Pacific for Japanese and Korean investors to develop some of the first large scale hydrogen/ammonia production facilities to help meet their industrial transition needs into the 2030s and beyond. 
  • NSW’s critical mineral projects from upstream to downstream, including material processing and local battery industry, offer investment opportunities to support an expected growth in demand out of North Asia. 

Export opportunities from NSW 

  • A strong North Asian consumer market for premium food and beverage continues to drive demand for NSW’s clean and green, quality produce. 
  • Japan and Korea are home to large, affluent consumer markets seeking high-quality consumer goods and services that NSW offers across food and beverage, consumer products and education. 
  • As a trusted and like-minded partner, NSW provides a safe and secure market for increased engagement in emerging technologies including cyber security, medtech and clinical trials. 

 

News

Bilateral opportunities between NSW and Tokyo have been strengthened today with the signing of two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoU).
The NSW Government is bringing together the biggest Japanese investors and key decision makers to ensure the state’s future as an energy powerhouse.
The NSW Government has unveiled a plan to boost wine exports and create new jobs and opportunities for people in NSW.

Last updated 12 July 2023