Paul Sanda

Paul commenced as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei in March 2021. Prior to taking up this position, Paul was Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner responsible for South China based in Guangzhou.

Paul has a strong interest in developing trade, investment and education initiatives that advocate a public diplomacy element to improve the image and nation brand, and away from traditional views of Australia that rely heavily on cute fauna and beaches.

Along with his responsibilities in Malaysia and Brunei, Paul has an Southeast Asian regional role overseeing Austrade’s initiatives in marketing and communications.

From 2013 to 2017, Paul was based in Sydney as Manager, Media and Communications for Austrade. In this role Paul managed a team responsible for coordinating Austrade’s corporate communications requirements and engagement with media.

Paul served four years from 2008 to 2013 as Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Australian Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

He has completed three postings in China, as Consul (Commercial) in Shanghai from 1998 to 2003, Counsellor (Commercial) in Beijing from 2003 to 2008 and Deputy Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Guangzhou.

Prior to joining Austrade, Paul worked for the Queensland Premier’s Department on developing Queensland’s trade and investment relationship with China.

Paul has also worked as a documentary filmmaker, producer and researcher.