Victoria Connects: Europe Investment Series, Berlin, January 2026
As part of the first official Germany visit of 2026 by the Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the German Australian Business Council was pleased to co-host a networking evening in Berlin strengthening the partnerships between Victoria and Germany.
The delegation was led by Gönül Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, accompanied by Anne-Sophie Boulet, Investment Director, and Léonore Marteville, Strategic Advisor. Their visit to Germany included engagements in Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin, aimed at deepening relationships with partners and further raising Victoria’s profile across the German market.
The Berlin networking event brought together around 50 investors, Victorian companies, GABC members, and key stakeholders from business and government. Opening the evening, Commissioner Serbest highlighted the strong complementarities between Victoria and Germany, including close alignment across priority sectors such as life sciences, technology, advanced manufacturing, and energy. Gönül Serbest reaffirmed Victoria’s strategic focus on Germany as a key market for trade, investment, and long-term collaboration.
Victoria and Germany share highly developed, stable and innovation-driven economies, with a strong emphasis on research, skills development, advanced industry and sustainable growth. Both are recognised for their world-class education and research institutions, robust manufacturing and engineering capabilities, and leadership in clean energy and emerging technologies, creating a solid foundation for deeper commercial partnerships and joint innovation.
We were honoured to hear from H.E. Ms Natasha Smith, Australian Ambassador to Germany, who highlighted the strength and depth of the Australia–Germany relationship. German Australian Business Council Co-Chair Robert Harrison also spoke about the importance of people-to-people links between Germany and Victoria and highlighted the potential for further engagement and collaboration.
Looking ahead, Commissioner Serbest expressed her hope to see continued momentum and expanded engagement between Victoria and Germany, with more opportunities for collaboration, investment, and knowledge exchange in both markets in the years to come.
The German Australian Business Council extends its sincere thanks to the State Government of Victoria, Invest Victoria, and Global Victoria for leading this important engagement. We also thank our Board Members and team, in particular Jessica Walker, Robert Harrison, Diah Yulianti and Suzanne Heim for their support in delivering this successful event.
Pictures by Olga Baczynska – www.berlineventfotograf.de
