Our Purpose

While ACITI’s beginnings are humble, our vision is not. Our purpose is to: build a centre that provides the general public with non-technical information on key trade and investment issues; build the capacity of Australian firms to engage in international trade and investment; and strengthen Australia's policy capability to help resolve difficult issues impeding international economic cooperation

Promote Increased Engagement

Promote increased engagement and collaboration between industry, government, researchers and analysts working on and in international trade and investment.

Promote Increased Scholarship

Promote increased scholarship on international trade and investment issues relevant to Australia.

Provide Tailored Research

Provide tailored research and analysis on international trade and investment questions.

Enable Access To Information

Increase access to information on the profile, practice, policy and research on Australia's international trade and investment and its impact on the Australian economy and way of life.

What We Do

ACITI’s purpose is achieved through its four core activities: ACITI Info, ACITI Forum, ACITI Research and ACITI Services

ACITI Info

ACITI's website provides, non-technical information on Australia's trade and investment profile, policies, hot topics, key issues and institutions. This resource will grow over time. Subscribe below to receive updates. Click the button to access current resources.

ACITI Forum

ACITI is a place for business, government, researchers and analysts to discuss trade and investment issues of commercial and policy importance. We hold regular webinars on trade and investment issues and an annual conference. Subscribe below to receive event notifications. Click the arrow for the calendar of upcoming and past events hosted by ACITI and other organisations.

ACITI Research

Institutions and scholars across Australia continue to undertake research on trade and investment topics needed to inform business, policy and consumer decisions. ACITI showcases these individuals and institutions and their work to promote debate and collaboration. Click the arrow for information on these institutions and individuals.

ACITI Academy

ACITI Academy focuses on building Australia’s international trade and investment commercial and policy capabilities. Academy courses offer opportunities for participants to delve into specific policy and commercial topics, build expertise and skills, and join the ACITI international trade and investment community.

Dr Prudence Gordon | Executive Director

ACITI was founded by Pru Gordon in 2020. Pru has worked on trade and investment issues as an academic, a diplomat, a policy maker, in an industry association and as a senior adviser to three Australian trade and investment ministers. She has had a life-long interest in international trade and investment and their impact on the everyday lives of Australians.

Pru was most recently Senior Adviser to the Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Earlier roles include General Manager, Trade and Economics at the National Farmers Federation, Adviser and Senior Adviser to two former Ministers for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

At DFAT, Pru worked in the Office of Trade Negotiations and the China Economic and Trade Section. She spent three years as a diplomat working in the Trade Branch of the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. Prior to joining DFAT, Pru worked in the School of Politics and International Relations at the University of New South Wales, and the Department of International Relations at the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University.

She spent two years as Dean and Acting Head, Fenner Hall, at the Australian National University. She began her career as the Trade Policy and Research Adviser with the Parliamentary Research Service, Parliament House, Canberra. Pru has a Bachelor of Arts (History)(Honours) from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts (International Relations) from the Australian National University, and a Doctor of Philosophy (International Political Economy) from the University of New South Wales.

Dale Seymour | Non-Executive Director

Dale Seymour is an experienced senior executive with over thirty years in senior executive leadership and management roles gained in both the public and private sectors. Dale brings extensive national and international experience, both public and private, in leadership and delivery including building and implementing complex regulatory capability in contested environments in both local and global markets.

Dale led and delivered for the Australian Government, Australia’s international trade remedies system from 2013 -2021, managed a large business practice in corporate advisory and led large and complex public sector agencies in Victoria.

Dale has strong and detailed subject matter expertise in the rules based international trading system, climate and energy policy and reform.

Most recently Dale has been leading a corporate advisory practice in the private sector (FTI Consulting Australia) focused on Australia’s energy transition, climate policy and building out a new international trade advisory capability. Dale is particularly focused on the policy challenge at the intersection of climate policy and international trade law.

From August 2013 to February 2021, Dale established and led Australia’s independent Anti-Dumping Commission as the inaugural Anti-Dumping Commissioner. In this statutorily independent role, he was responsible for leading and managing the operations of the Commission as required under the Customs Act 1901 (as amended) and for the effective and efficient stewardship of Australia’s trade remedies system within the global multilateral trading system.

• February 2023 – Present: Managing Director FTI Consulting
• August 2013 – February 2021 – Commissioner, Anti-Dumping Commission (Australian Government)
• April 2012 – August 2013: Director, Deloitte Australia – Energy and Carbon Advisory
• September 2011 – March 2012: President and CEO, Wormser Energy Solutions (USA)
• February 2011 – September 2011: Deputy Secretary, Department of Business and Innovation, State of Victoria
• January 2009 – December 2010: Deputy CEO and SVP, Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI)
• January 2005 – January 2009: Deputy Secretary, Energy, Resources and Major Projects, Department of Primary Industries, State of Victoria
• December 2003 – January 2005: Secretary, Department of Primary Industries, State of Victoria
• August 2001 – December 2003: Deputy Secretary, Operations, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, State of Victoria
• October 1999 – August 2001 Acting Head of Business Group (2001), Department of State and Regional Development, State of Victoria
• February 1997 – October 1999 Director, Department of State Development (Office of the Secretary), State of Victoria
• 1994 – 1997 Chief Commission Administration Officer, Employee Relations Commission of Victoria (Governor-in-Council appointment)
‍
‍Government Board Appointments
- 2003 – 2008 Director – Royal Melbourne Showgrounds Redevelopment Joint Venture
- 2003 – 2007 Chair – Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets Relocation Project coordinating committee
Chair – Victorian Drought Assistance whole of government committee
- 2005 – 2009 Chair – National Bio-Security Centre Development Council @ Latrobe University
- 2006 – 2009 Member (representing the Minister) – Victorian Occupational Health and Advisory Council (tripartite body advising Victorian Minister for Work Cover)
- 2007 Member – National Emergency Management Committee to control horse flu outbreak in Australia
- 2004 Member (as Secretary of the Department) of Victorian State Co-ordination and Management Council
- 2004 – 2009 Chair – Deputy Secretary’s whole of government corporate management and coordinating committee
- 2013 – 2021 Chair – International Trade Remedies Advisory Forum

Arjuna Nadaraga | Non-Executive Director

Arjuna Nadaraja is the Chair of the Australian Pacific Economic Cooperation Committee (AusPECC), the Australian national committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC). He brings over 30 years of experience in government policy, trade negotiations, international services competitiveness, and domestic regulatory reform.

As an independent consultant, Arjuna now works with the Australian APEC Study Centre at RMIT University as well as the International Trade Centre of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.

He played a key role in advancing the liberalisation of professional services both in Australia and globally, particularly through the World Trade Organization’s General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), where he served as Chair of the Group on Legal Services. In 2021, Arjuna served as Chair and Convenor of APEC’s Group on Services.

As a Director of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2020-21, he led the development and implementation of a joint public-private services export strategy – the Services Exports Action Plan - aimed at enhancing the international competitiveness of Australia’s services sector.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Policy Studies and a Master's degree in International Law, both from the Australian National University.

Professor Jacqueline Lo | Non - Executive Director

Professor Jacqueline Lo is Director of the Indo-Pacific Research Centre at Murdoch University. She is also Honorary Professor at the Australian National University.

An internationally recognised Humanities scholar and pioneer of Asian Australian Studies, her work on multiculturalism, diaspora and public policy has influenced academic and policy sectors in Europe, Asia and the USA.

Jacqueline is a highly experienced academic leader in management, academic governance, teaching and research training. She has particular expertise in stakeholder engagement, international partnership development and academic diplomacy.

She was formerly Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) of the University of Adelaide (2020-2022). Prior to this, she was Chair of Academic Board at the ANU (2016-2020), as well as Associate Dean (International) for the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and Executive Director of the Centre for European Studies (co-funded by the European Commission).

Jacqueline is the Founding Chair of the Asian Australian Studies Research Network and was awarded the Knight of the Academic Palms in 2014 by the French Government.

Peter Grist | Non-Executive Director

Peter Grist has a wealth of experience in economic analysis, public policy, and industry advocacy across a wide range of sectors. He has held economic research and public policy roles in Australia and the United States in industry associations, government, private consulting and academe.

Peter is Chief Economist with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is a business representative on the advisory board of the National Contact Point for MNE Responsible Business Conduct and represents Australian business on Business@OECD tax and environmental committees and the National Fuel Council.

Peter previously worked at the National Association of Home Builders in Washington DC, the Australian Forest Products Association, BIS Shrapnel (now Oxford Economics), the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and as a researcher at the Australian National University.

Bryan Clark | Non-Executive Director

Bryan Clark has over 25 years' experience in industry representation and advocacy. He was most recently Strategic Adviser to the Simplified Trade System (STS). Prior to joining the STS, Bryan spent ten years focused on global trade policy and advocacy at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) where he was the Director of the International Chamber of Commerce, Australia.

Through his involvement in ACCI, Bryan was an active member of a number of international networks and is the initial point of contact in these relationships for:
• The International Chamber of Commerce
• The Business and Industry Advisory Committee for the OECD
• Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Through his position he is often invited to participate in other external groups. Examples include:
• Seconded to the Australian Governments’ Deregulation Taskforce (Treasury, August – November 2019)
• Lead the ACCI project developing a Trade Community System for Australia
• Membership of the Advisory Board to the National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises (Treasury)
• Member of the Peak Industry Roundtable on Modern Slavery (Home Affairs)
• Member of the World Council for the International Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the World Certificate of Origin Council for the World Chambers Federation (within ICC)
• Member of the International Trade Remedies Forum for the Antidumping Commission

• Chairman of the Indian Ocean Rim Associations’ Business Forum (2012–14) and continuing active member.
• Convenor of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Business Partnership Group (2012-2018)
• Member of Industry Reference Group on Trusted Trader (Home Affairs)
• Member of National Trade Facilitation Committee (Home Affairs)
• Member of the Trade Facilitation Initiatives Working Group (Home Affairs)
• Member of the International Policy Advisory Committee (Standards Australia)
• A member of the Melbourne Commercial Arbitration Centre’s Advisory Committee (2012-2016)
• Represented BIAC in the OECD SE Asia Summit in 2013
• Invited to present to the Government of Taiwan in regards to accession to the Trans Pacific Partnership.
• Member of the editorial committee for Business Envoy magazine produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2014-18)
• Vice Chairman, Australia- ASEAN Bilateral Business Council
• Lead projects on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Trade Facilitation in the Indian Ocean Rim (DFAT funded)

Prior to working for ACCI, Bryan held a number of roles in the agricultural sector in Australia, as well as operating a consultancy for 8 years.

Bryan commenced his career in the agricultural sector in the 1980s, farming with his family on a mixed irrigation property near Griffith in NSW, producing mainly rice, wheat, sheep and cattle.

Stephen Walters | Associate Director

Stephen Walters is Principal and Chief Economist of Optimal Economics, based in Sydney.
‍
Stephen previously was Chief Economist for the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and Chief Economist of NSW. Before joining NSW Treasury, Stephen was Chief Economist with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and, for 14 years, was Chief Economist for investment bank J.P.Morgan. Stephen previously was Senior Economist with Access Economics in Melbourne and International Economist with Norwich Union and Alliance Capital in the United Kingdom. He also spent seven years as an Economist with the Treasury in Perth.

Stephen holds a Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Western Australia and a Master's degree in applied finance from the University of Melbourne. He also has qualifications in journalism and graduated from the AICD's Company Directors Course in 2017. Stephen has published three books, with a fourth to be published soon.

Stephen is a member of the Australian Statistics Advisory Council (ASAC) and is on the advisory board of the Sydney Investors and Professionals Business Network (SIPBN). He is a former chair of the Executive Committee of the Australian Business Economists (ABE) and is on the National Executive of the Australian Republic Movement (ARM).

Philipp Ivanov | Associate Director

Philipp Ivanov is a leading strategist and advisor on geopolitical risk and foreign policy, with two decades of executive experience across government, think tanks and universities in Australia, the United States, China and Russia.

He is the Founder and CEO of GRASP (Geopolitical Risks and Strategy Practice), a specialist advisory practice helping companies, state governments and universities and their leaders mitigate geopolitical risks and build institutional resilience.

Philipp is an advisor to C-suites, university leaders, and senior policymakers on risk, strategy, China, and major-power competition. He brings a rare, lived perspective - having worked in China, Russia and the United States, the three powers at the core of today’s geopolitical upheaval.

A globally recognised expert on China and China-Russia relations, Philipp has been published in the New York Times, Financial Times, South China Morning Post, and Bloomberg, CNBC and The Australian Financial Review.

He co-led the Business Council of Australia’s National Asia Taskforce, and founded the Disruptive Asia series. Previously, Philipp was Global Chief Programming Officer and Senior Fellow at Asia Society New York, where he led global strategy across 16 centres and founded the China-Russia Program. From 2015 to 2023, he was CEO of Asia Society Australia, which he transformed into Australia’s leading business and policy institution focused on Asia.
‍

Earlier in his career, he served as a China policy officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he co-authored Australia’s first public China Country Strategy, worked at the University of Sydney and La Trobe University.

Philipp is currently an Industry Fellow at UTS Business School and a Visiting Scholar at Georgetown University. He holds board and advisory roles with the Foundation for Australian Studies in China, Global Women Asia, Geopolitical Strategy, and the City University of New York. He was a Fulbright Scholar in US-Australia Alliance Studies (Georgetown, 2023), Australian Government’s Endeavour Executive Fellow (China National Academy of Education Administration, 2009) and a McKinsey Executive Leadership Program alumnus. He speaks fluent Chinese and Russian.

Dr Cheryl Kalisch Gordon | Associate Director

Cheryl Kalisch Gordon is the former Head of Strategy for Australia and New Zealand for Rabobank and has more than 25 years of experience in agriculture, agribusiness, trade, commodity markets, finance and consulting.

From 2013 to 2017, Cheryl was the Trade & Market Access Manager and Senior Economist for GrainGrowers Ltd, and from 2017– 2022 a Senior Analyst for RaboResearch Australia New Zealand, a member of RaboResearch’s Global Research team and General Manager of RaboResearch Australia New Zealand. Currently, Cheryl is a member of Grains Australia Trade & Market Access Council and a strategic advisor in the private sector.

Cheryl has also been a lecturer in Agribusiness Marketing & Trade, Market & Price Analysis and Benefit Cost Analysis at the University of Sydney.

Cheryl holds a first-class honours degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Sydney, a PhD (Economics) from the University of New England, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Charlotte Ryder | Research Assistant

Charlotte Ryder is a research assistant at the Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment, bringing experience across economic analysis, public policy, and international affairs.

Charlotte is completing a double degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and Commerce at the Australian National University, with a major in International Business. She is particularly interested in the intersection of trade policy, geopolitics, and development.

Charlotte has previously worked as a Junior Economist at the Commonwealth Grants Commission, and as an intern in the Strategy, Data and AI team at Deloitte. She currently interns for both the Australian Institute of International Affairs and the Embassy of Chile to Australia, where she focuses on bilateral trade and investment ties.

Our Values

Objectivity

We maintain an independent and non-partisan approach, providing unbiased information and analysis devoid of personal or political agendas. We prior1itize data-driven insights and evidence-based recommendations.

Collaboration

We foster strong partnerships with government, businesses, academia, and communities, recognizing the collective power of diverse perspectives and expertise. We share knowledge openly and work together to achieve shared goals.

Inclusion

We champion equal access to opportunities in international trade and investment, advocating for the participation of all sectors and demographics in contributing to Australia's ability to capitalise on, and contribute to, engagement with global markets.

Innovation

We embrace creative solutions and new approaches to navigating the ever-evolving landscape of international trade and investment. We encourage experimentation and learning from emerging trends.

Sustainability

We recognize the interconnectedness of economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social well-being. We promote trade and investment strategies that contribute to a sustainable future for Australia and the global community.

Integrity

We operate with the highest ethical standards, conducting ourselves with transparency, accountability, and fairness in all our activities. We earn and maintain the trust of our stakeholders through consistent integrity.

Excellence

We are committed to delivering high-quality research, analysis, and training that set the benchmark in the field. We continuously strive to improve and evolve, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and expertise.

How you can get involved

You can join the ACITI network by contributing your expertise to ACITI Research, Partnering with ACITI on events, and/or becoming a financial Supporter by sponsoring ACITI events.

Partners

If you would like to partner with ACITI in running an event or collaborating on a project or research topic related to advancing Australia’s international trade and investment engagement, please email info@aciti.org.au.

Supporters

As a not-for-profit, ACITI relies on donations to support our work. To make a contribution, please email us at info@aciti.org.au

Experts

ACITI is keen to showcase new research, commentary, and analysis on international trade and investment issues relevant to Australia. If you would like your work referenced on the ACITI website, or want to let us know about work done by others, please email info@aciti.org.au

About