New Melbourne Trade Commissioner

New Melbourne Trade Commissioner And Consul General Appointed

Mark Ingram has been appointed Trade New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Melbourne, Australia.

Mr Ingram moves into the position from a previous role in Trade New Zealand as an Account Manager on the Export Hotline, where he assisted new exporters to take their first steps into offshore markets.

After attending St Kentigern College, then going to complete a Bachelor of Arts (Education and Philosophy) at the University of Auckland, Mr Ingram spent five years with the Kanematsu Corporation as an International Trader in the engineering products division.

He then joined Anthony Marquet Ltd as a Trading Manager, dealing in agricultural commodities (meat, wool, fish)/ foodstuffs/ engineering products.

Mr Ingram's role as Trade Commissioner involves providing market intelligence to exporters, identifying and qualifying market opportunities, helping exporters succeed and championing New Zealand's commercial interests.

"Australia is an excellent first market for exporters to cut their teeth in. There is an increasingly positive perception of the quality of New Zealand companies and products. There is also a growing interest in the possibility of New Zealand/ Australian collaboration to develop opportunities into third markets," he says.

"The Australian economy is expected to grow faster than any other developed country over the next 4 years, New Zealand celebrates its 20th anniversary of CER with Australia this year, and our exports to Australia constitute around one-fifth of our total exports. So overall, it's a fantastic market for New Zealand exporters."

Mr Ingram says he aims to use his commercial and account management experience to widen the base of New Zealand exporters to Australia, particularly in the apparel, agritech and biotechnology sectors.

"In the apparel sector I want to continue to broaden the range of exports, taking advantage of New Zealand's existing excellent reputation in the high fashion industry. I also want to expand sales of agritech products and services through promotion and market research as New Zealand farm efficiency is well regarded in Australia.

"Trans-Tasman collaboration in biotechnology, especially the areas of scientific research, commercialisation and business partnering, will be a priority for me."

Mr Ingram replaces Tui Te Hau who is returning to Wellington. He takes up his position in early March.

Meanwhile, Mr Ingram's keen interest in rugby will be well sated with the upcoming world cup to be held in Australia. "I'm looking forward to the All Blacks having a full trophy cabinet by the end of the year," he says.

ENDS

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