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Australia Gulf Council set for GCC business mission
posted | Wednesday, 22 Feb 2012
The Australia Gulf Council (AGC) has announced details of its forthcoming business mission to the Gulf States which will be jointly led by Hon Bob Hawke AC (Prime Minister of Australia 1983-1991), Hon Mark Vaile (Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 2005-2007, Minister for Trade 1999-2006) and Senator Hon Nicholas Sherry (Assistant Treasurer 2009-2010, Minister for Small Business 2010-2011).
Chief executive, AGC, Michael Yabsley revealed that the business mission set for 24 February to 1 March is due to visit Oman, Qatar and the UAE with 18 delegates from leading companies with a direct interest in the trade and investment relationship between Australia and the Gulf States.
Yabsley said: “The 2012 business mission is a powerful statement about the importance of the relationship between Australia and the Gulf states, underlined by the seniority of leadership by Bob Hawke, Mark Vaile and Nicholas Sherry and the commercial standing of the Australia sectors and companies participating.”
The AGC was established in 2010 to recognise and nurture the relationship between Australia and the Gulf States and the commercial, government and non-government networks that underpin it.
Sectors represented on the business mission by chief and senior executives are due to include construction and engineering, education, financial services, transport, telecommunications, horse racing, tourism and agriculture.
In a joint statement, business mission leaders Bob Hawke, Mark Vaile and Nick Sherry emphasised the need for Australian companies to take the message of ‘Brand Australia’ to the markets that offer potential for expansion. In that context, the Gulf States are front and centre.
“From our varying political and commercial backgrounds we know that enduring commercial outcomes occur where relationships are nurtured. That means having a presence not only through DFAT and Austrade but at a commercial level as well. The AGC Business Mission puts this idea into practice in a most effective way.
“The Gulf States through the GCC are one of the great commercial engine rooms of the world.
“Australia and the Gulf States also share common values and interests which facilitate the two-way flow of capital.” Bob Hawke, Mark Vaile and Nicholas Sherry jointly said.
