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Welcome

Welcome to the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry website
On these pages visitors to the AACCI website will encounter information about the Chamber and its activities and about the procedures and documentation required in the context of doing business with the Arab countries. If you have ever thought about entering into the Arab market either as an exporter or investor or in a joint enterprise with an Arab partner, you will enjoy browsing through this website. The site includes a link to enable on-line application for membership.

Australia-UAE Book Launch

A new book launched at a glittering dinner in Sydney on 31 October 2008 highlights the depth of the economic relationship between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Published by Focus, the book offers a contemporary and detailed examination of the extent and character of the commercial relationship between the two countries and points to the opportunities for further development that lie ahead. It will provide an important platform for Australian companies to promote themselves and their product in the UAE, and for UAE companies to do the same in Australia.

The UAE is a highly important commercial hub in the Arab world and one of Australia’s most important trading partners in the region. There are now more than 300 Australian-owned companies operating in the UAE.

The book was officially launched by HE Dr Saeed al-Shamsi, Ambassador of the UAE to Australia. The National Chairman of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI), Ray Najar, attended the event. AACCI is pleased to have been able to support this important project and congratulates the publisher Focus on the high quality product that has resulted.

The UAE based launch of the publication will take place on 30 November 2008. Australia’s Ambassador Mr Jeremy Bruer will officially launch the book.

The Book Launch AACCI National Chairman Ray Najar (left) with HE Dr Saeed al-Shamsi, Ambassador of the UAE Ray Najar, with HE Dr Saeed al-Shamsi and Ms Samira Baqatada of the UAE Embassy, Canberra

QLD Annual General Meeting

The Queensland Chapter of the AACCI recently conducted its Annual General Meeting at Byblos Restaurant at Portside in Brisbane. The first photo depicts the Queensland Chairman, Mr Mike Farrar, presenting his Annual Report to the attendees.

The second photo features the Chapter's guest speaker, Mr Mark Baker, National Manager, International Trade Finance-Suncorp Ltd. Mr Baker spoke of his five years banking experience in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and provided a detail account of the structure of the Saudi financial system, the problems business can encounter in this market, and the value of developing key relationships with senior Government and private sector influencers.

Sheikh Zayed International Camel Endurance Race

Winner of the Sheikh Zayed International Endurance Camel Race, John Richardson, with his mount, Tyson

As part of the Arid Lands Festival, held each year in Hughenden, Queensland, renowned outback and camel aficionado Paddy McHugh and his associates organized this year’s highly successful Sheikh Zayed International Camel Endurance Race over 22 and 23 August 2008. Winner of the race was John Richardson on his camel Tyson. John (pictured right) collected his trophy and a

$50,000 prize purse at the end of the event.

The 150 km race provided a great opportunity to showcase some of the most beautiful outback scenery Australia has to offer (see photographs right). Named in honour of the founder of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the race is yet another reflection of the growing depth of Australia’s links with the Arab world, highlighting in particular the experiences Australians and Arabs have in common in residing in some of the most arid places on earth.

AACCI Breakfast Briefing 27 August 2008


Pictured from left to right, Sponsor of the breakfast briefing Torsten Ketelsen (GMA Garnet Group), Donna Massie (WA Chapter Vice Chair, Clough), Dr Kenneth Chern, Consul General of the United States of America, Edmund Damouni (WA Chair and AACCI Board member, Antry).		Pictured from left to right, Douglas Joyce (Body Wise), Geoff Puttick (Pre-Paid Legal), Dr Kenneth Chern, Consul General of the United States of America, Donna Massie (WA Chapter Vice Chair, Clough), Edmund Damouni (WA Chair and AACCI Board member, Antry) John Yeudall (Capricorn Consulting).

The WA chapter held a breakfast briefing function on the 27th August 2008 at the Hyatt Recency Perth. Dr Kenneth Chern gave a very interesting brief on the "Challenges of Globalization". The event was sponsored by AACCI board member Torsten Ketelsen (GMA Garnet Group).

New Australian Customs and Excise Training Facility in Kuwait

Professor David Widdowson, Chief Executive Officer of the University of Canberra’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies, addresses guests at the reception on 28 August 2008 marking the inauguration of the Centre’s Middle East and North Africa Campus

University of Canberra Opens Training Facility in Kuwait for Customs and Border Agency Officers in the Middle East and North Africa.

In an historic first, the University of Canberra’s Centre for Customs and Excise Studies (CCES), a member of AACCI, has signed an agreement with a Kuwait/Saudi company to deliver comprehensive training for Customs and border agency officers in the Middle East and North Africa.

In launching the campus, Chief Executive Officer of CCES, Professor David Widdowson, noted that the Centre is the first of its kind in the world and its primary aim is to raise the academic standing of the customs profession.

CCES is now recognised by the World Customs Organization (WCO) as international leaders in the field of customs education and all post graduate programs carry the official endorsement of the WCO.

This agreement will enable CCES courses to be available in 20 Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa, delivered in Arabic through trainers and teachers who have been taught by staff from CCES.

AACCI Hosts Reception in Canberra on 17 June 2008

The National Council of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its mid-year meeting in Canberra on 17 and 18 June 2008. To mark the occasion, the Chamber offered a reception on the evening of 17 June to which the distinguished members of the Arab diplomatic corps were invited, along with Australia’s Foreign Minister, The Hon Stephen Smith MP, and senior government officials and business members of the Chamber.

Mr Smith, who had just returned from a visit to a number of Arab countries, delivered an address to guests at the reception. The Minister highlighted the breadth of Australia’s relations with the Arab countries, noting in particular the economic dimension of Australia’s interests in the region. He also referred to the current global food crisis and praised a recent decision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to donate $500 million to the World Food Program.

The Minister also referred to the Australian government’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and noted that one of the first decisions of the current Australian government was to double the level of development assistance to the Palestinian people.

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, addressing guests at the AACCI Reception held in Canberra on 17 June 2008

To access the text of the Minister’s address, please click here.

New AACCI Constitution

The Chamber also held a General Meeting on 18 June at which a new AACCI Constitution was adopted. One of the consequences of the adoption of the new Constitution was a change in the leadership of AACCI and in the structure of the Board of Directors.

Mr Syd Giller has stepped down as National Chairman after a distinguished period of service. Syd had earlier foreshadowed his retirement as Chairman upon the adoption of the new Constitution. Directors elected Mr Ray Najar of Adelaide, South Australia, as the new National Chairman and Mr Don Neale of Brisbane, Queensland as Vice Chairman. Also as a consequence of the adoption of the new Constitution there has been an immediate structural transition from National Council, which included a number of adviser positions, to an AACCI Board.

The new Board structure does not provide for adviser positions. As a consequence, the two advisers to National Council, Mr Michael Coffey and Mr Tony Knight retired upon adoption of the new Constitution. Members of the Board thanked Messrs Giller, Coffey and Knight for the very significant contributions they had made over the years to the Chamber.

The Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, speaking with the Patron and founder of AACCI, Mr Graham Lightfoot (pictured left) and the then National Chairman of AACCI, Mr Syd Giller, at the AACCI reception on 17 June 2008.

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