Gulf States Briefing by Lynette Wood, Assistant Secretary, Middle East Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (in Sydney)

Lynette will brief the Australia Gulf Council Business Mission Delegates about the Gulf States and the upcoming mission to Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which is being held from 25 February – 1 March 2012.

Companies and organisations present at the reception included:

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The Inaugural Australia Gulf Council Annual Dinner marked a number of occasions in the AGC Programme of Events. Notably the AGC celebrated its first full year of operation since its launch in October 2010 at which the Secretary of DFAT, Mr Dennis Richardson AO, was Guest of Honour.

The AGC was delighted that Australia’s Minister for Trade, Hon Dr Craig Emerson MP was Guest of Honour. Craig Emerson has played a leading role both prior to and since being elected to Federal Parliament in1998 as an advocate for Australia on the world stage. Since 2010 he has championed trade liberalisation and foreign investment as key elements for economic prosperity in a challenging global market place.

Significantly, the AGC Etihad Principal Corporate Partnership was launched by the AGC’s Chief Executive, Michael Yabsley and Etihad Airways’ General Manager in Australia and New Zealand, Lindsay White. The AGC and Etihad have been working together over the past year to create a Partnership that adds value to both organisations, contributing to the relationship between Australia and the Gulf States. Both Etihad Global Chief Executive Officer, James Hogan and Michael Yabsley commented that the relationship will contribute to the economic and cultural prosperity of the bilateral relationship between Australia and the UAE.

The Inaugural Annual Dinner was attended by 65 VIPs including Minister for Trade Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hon Julie Bishop MP; Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, Hon Justin Elliot MP; former Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Minister for Defence, Hon Robert Hill; Austrade’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Grey; Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Talat Nazer; Sunrice Chairman, Gerry Lawson AM and Sunrice acting Chief Executive Officer, David Keldie; Allens Aurthur Robinson’s, Zeke Solomon AM; Parsons Brinckerhoff’s Chairman, Hon John Sharp; Minter Ellison Special Counsel, Stephen Loosley; Etihad General Manager, Lindsay White.

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Peter has been the driving force behind the Review of Austrade and the associated reforms since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in January 2010. Peter discussed the rationale and outcomes of the Review, relevance of emerging markets and trade and investment trends in relation to the Gulf region.

The AGC is appreciative of the support it has received from Peter and his colleagues at Austrade and welcomed the opportunity to hear from Peter about the Austrade Review and trade and investment trends.

Companies and organisations present at the lunch included:

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In particular the areas of tourism and construction were recognised as providing synergies from which both countries could leverage.

The AGC was delighted to have the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Austrade in hosting this event.

Companies and organisations represented at the dinner included:

AACo

Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Beirut Hellenic Bank

Clayton Utz

Credit Suisse

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Etihad Airways

Flying Fox

Focus Publishing

Government Relations Australia

Infrastructure Economics

JT Campbell and Company

MNC

NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services

PwC

UGL

RM Williams Agricultural Holdings

Servcorp