CEO Update
Dear members and friends,
Belatedly, Happy New Year!
As we begin 2012, AACCI looks forward to another exciting year of growth and new initiatives. We’re excited to have you join us on this journey.
2011 was a year in which AACCI made significant strides. We launched our new logo and branding and convened the Inaugural Australia Arab Business Forum and Expo, Australia’s first international conference focusing specifically on trade and investment between Australia and the Arab countries. We also convened a mini-mission to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar and established a national calendar of events, in five states. In 2012, AACCI will undertake a new set of exciting projects and has already expanded the team so that we can accomplish these initiatives.
2012 Australia Arab Business Forum and Expo
On 5 and 6 June, AACCI will convene the second Australia Arab Business Forum and Expo at the Sheraton on the Park. The event will focus on Finance and Investment, Infrastructure and Construction and Food Security and Agribusiness, as well as a special session on Qatar and opportunities flowing from the 2022 World Cup. For more details and to see the list of exciting speakers we have lined up, visit our website at http://www.austarab.com.au/forum-expo.
Trade mission to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia
We are also pleased to announce that AACCI will run its first trade mission for 2012 to the United Arab Emirates and Saudia Arabia from 19-26 February 2012. This multi-sectoral trade mission will focus on individual business match-making and high quality networking for participating companies.
AACCI will provide full support to mission participants, including individually designed buiness match-making programs, visa applications, accommodation and transport throughout the trip. For more information and to download the registration pack, please visit our Upcoming Trade Missions webpage.
I look forward to accompanying our members on this mission and invite you to join us.
Farewells and new appointments
Since late 2011, AACCI has farewelled colleagues and friends as they move on to new challenges. We’ve also welcomed a number of new faces to the team, in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
An enormous vote of thanks is due to Mr. Max White, our retiring Victorian chapter Executive Officer. Max has been part of the AACCI community for many years and has done a great job of running the Melbourne office for the last nine years. In recognition of his dedication and hard work, AACCI awarded Max the Graham Lightfoot Award, AACCI’s highest honour, at the end of 2011.
Thanks also to NSW Executive Officer Ms. Ashlea Nicholson, who recently moved on to pursue new adventures.
We are pleased to have Mr. James Harb (Sydney), Mr. Roland Jabbour (Melbourne) and Mr. Geoff Puttick (Perth) join us as State Directors and look forward to working with them to expand our presence in their respective states.
I’d also like to personally welcome Ms. Jemima Riley, our new NSW Executive Officer, to the Sydney office.
Thank you to our 2011 interns, Hadeel Al Amer, Angus Minns, Ali Ashghar and Josh Shelton and welcome to our new NSW interns, Luisa Gidaro and Ian Tovar.
2011 AACCI Employee of the Year
Lastly, and importantly, special recognition is due to AACCI’s 2011 Employee of the Year, Ms. Ana Belgun. As our National Secretariat Manager, Ana has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep AACCI running smoothly over the last eighteen months. We thank her for her ongoing effort and positive contribution to the organisation.
