The Hunter region has welcomed 17 international delegates representing 15 countries as part of the NSW Government’s latest trade mission, coordinated by Invest Regional NSW. The visit aimed to connect visiting trade and investment representatives with the region’s emerging industries and innovation hubs.
Delegates from Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates took part in site visits, discussions and industry briefings. Additional markets were engaged through targeted outreach following the event.
The program offered a close look at the Hunter’s strengths in clean energy, advanced manufacturing and regional transition industries. Coordinated with support from local councils, Austrade, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and industry partners, the mission was designed to make practical deal-making central to every interaction, creating a format that encouraged genuine discussion and follow-up opportunities.
The official Welcome Dinner was hosted by The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC, Minister for Regional NSW, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western NSW. Delegates were welcomed to Country at the Murrook Cultural Centre, where they experienced the richness of Worimi culture and its ongoing connection to the region. This engagement continued during the second evening’s networking dinner, which featured a Q&A on First Nations enterprise and supply-chain participation.
During the visit, delegates toured Allegro Energy, developers of micro-emulsion flow batteries; The Melt, Australia’s first hardware accelerator and prototyping lab; Kardinia Energy, makers of silicon-free printed solar panels; and met with regional leaders at AGL Hunter Energy Hub and BHP Mt Arthur to discuss workforce transition and reskilling. The delegation also visited the Newcastle Institute for Energy & Resources to learn about local research partnerships.
Across the itinerary, delegates saw the Hunter’s industrial capacity, skilled workforce and collaborative approach to innovation. The mission’s format encouraged direct engagement, focused conversations and clear follow-ups that translated into real momentum for collaboration and partnership development.
Delegates noted the strength of collaboration between industry, research and government across the region, saying it gave them confidence that investment in the Hunter would translate into long-term results. Many commented on the region’s readiness for international partnership and its balance of established expertise and new technology.
The trade mission forms part of the NSW Government’s work to attract new industries and partnerships to regional areas. For the Hunter, it strengthened the region’s reputation as a leader in clean technology, advanced manufacturing and regional transition.
