European Australian Business Council Explained

EABC Infobox
Headquarters:Sydney, Australia
Leader Title:CEO
Leader Name:Jason Collins[1]

The European Australian Business Council (EABC) is a nonprofit corporate forum based in Sydney, Australia. The EABC's mission is to promote trade, investment, and institutional cooperation between Australia and Europe by collaborating with governments, public institutions, embassies, consulates, chambers of commerce, trade and investment agencies, and Australian and European business groups.[2]

Business mission

The purpose of the EABC is to foster stronger diplomatic and economic relations between Europe and Australia.[3]

The policy reform agenda of the EABC seeks to promote further business linkages and collaboration between Australia and Europe across all sectors, particularly where the two economies face common challenges. To achieve this end, the EABC provides a forum for policy discussion and debate through boardroom discussions.[4] EABC boardroom discussions consist of a structured programme of guests speakers and open discussions around topics including trade and investment, innovation, education, energy, climate change, infrastructures, health, financial services, culture, defence & security, cyber-security, education, transports and mobility and the digital economy.

Central to the EABC's mission is the advocacy of an ambitious Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the European Union.[5] In September 2017, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker called for an Australia-E.U. Free Trade Agreement to be signed by the end of the current Commission's mandate in July 2019.[6] [7]

The negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the EU were launched in Canberra on 18 June 2018 by the European Trade Commissioner Dr Cecilia Malmström, the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Australian Minister for Trade Steven Ciobo.[8]

Annual Business Mission

The EABC also organises an annual "Business Mission" to Europe as a way of promoting bilateral relations between Australia and the EU.[9] The Mission is led by a delegation of Australian Ministers, public officials and business leaders, who meet and engage with European leaders, institutions, officials, business groups and policy organisations in three to four major European cities.

Previous leaders of the annual business mission include Australian Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann, former Australian Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce, and former Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb.[10]

In July 2018, the EABC Business Mission visited Paris, Strasbourg, Madrid, Lisbon and London.[11] The Mission was supported by the Australian Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove.[12] In July 2019, the EABC took a delegation to Berlin, Frankfurt, Brussels, Copenhagen, Malmö and London. In Germany, the delegation was led by Minister Mathias Cormann, and the EABC participated in the inaugural Joint Economic Committee meeting with German Minister Peter Altmaier.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: A Brexit will have a major impact on Australians. The Feed. 2018-05-22. en-GB.
  2. Web site: Business Envoy January 2018 - European Union Edition. 21 December 2017. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  3. Web site: Bishop. Julie. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Media Release. Minister for Foreign Affairs. Australian Government. 18 May 2018.
  4. Web site: keeping the relationship fresh - Australia Unlimited. www.australiaunlimited.com. en. 2018-05-17.
  5. Web site: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Business Leads Mission to Europe. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. DFAT. 18 May 2018.
  6. Web site: Legislative train schedule European Parliament. European Parliament. 2018-05-17.
  7. Web site: International Agreements in Progress: EU-Australia free trade agreement - Moving towards the launch of talks - Think Tank. www.europarl.europa.eu. en. 2018-05-17.
  8. News: Cecilia Malmström on Twitter. Twitter. 2018-06-18. en.
  9. Web site: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Business Leads Mission to Europe. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 18 May 2018.
  10. Web site: European Australian Business Council Mission to Europe. ADC. Navy. 2013-06-04. www.gg.gov.au. en. 2018-05-17.
  11. Web site: EABC Media Release May 2018. www.eabc.com.au. en. 2018-08-27.
  12. Web site: Media Advisory: Governor-General leads centenary of Hamel commemorations during Europe visit. Groves. Sam. 2018-06-15. www.gg.gov.au. en. 2018-06-18.
  13. Web site: https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2019/20190624-federal-economic-affairs-minister-altmaier-meets-australian-finance-minister-cormann.html..