New trade office aims to open doors for SA in Germany

Tim Dornin |

The new South Australian trade office in Frankfurt, Germany, will cost $250,000 annually.
The new South Australian trade office in Frankfurt, Germany, will cost $250,000 annually.

South Australia hopes a new trade office in Germany will open more export opportunities with the European superpower.

SA’s trade office in Frankfurt will be the fourth in Germany, with NSW, Victoria and Queensland already having presences in the largest economy in Europe.

Premier Peter Malinauskas made the announcement in Berlin, during a four-day trade mission.

“Germany is the biggest economy in Europe with a GDP worth more than $4 trillion, so it makes sense for South Australia to have a permanent presence here,” the premier said.

“With the world re-opening post-COVID, it is vital that South Australia has a strong presence in key economies across the world.”

Germany is South Australia’s eighth largest trading partner, with annual two-way trade worth $622m.

There are 67 German companies with a physical presence in SA.

Mr Malinauskas said Germany was also the biggest player in Europe in hydrogen, bringing the strong potential for investment in SA’s programs in the sector.

The budgeted annual cost of the Frankfurt office is $250,000. 

It will join other South Australian trade offices in the UK, US, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

AAP