Kassem Younes PSM - Middle East

Meet Kassem Younes PSM 

Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner – Middle East

With over two decades of business experience, including 18 years in senior roles with the State Government of Victoria, Kassem Younes has extensive experience in international market development.   

He has championed innovative ideas and driven growth across keys sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, sports diplomacy, E-sports and sustainability and successfully established new clients for Australian companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, South Africa and Central Asia. 

Working with the Government of Victoria, Kassem was Regional Director and then promoted to General Manager (Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Russia and Central Asia).   

He led strategic initiatives to enhance trade and investment opportunities across the region, significantly increasing bilateral business partnerships and economic growth.  

Prior to his career in government, Kassem worked in business development roles in the pharmaceutical sector with Novartis and Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical.   

In 2024 Kassem was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding achievement in trade and investment between Victoria, Australia and the Middle East region. 

Kassem has been involved with the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Business Council in Dubai and the Swiss Business Council in Dubai.   

He holds a Masters Degree in Science/Pharmacy from Saint Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University and also undertook remote business studies with Harvard Business School.   

Kassem speaks Arabic, English, French and Russian. 

Read market profiles and about exporting to the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.