About the European Australian Business Council

The European Australian Business Council (EABC) is one of the premier and most effective corporate forums in Australia. The EABC enables business leaders to engage in high-level dialogue on economic and public policy issues with Australian and European political leaders, senior officials, diplomats and business delegations.

The European Union has been Australia’s largest economic partner for more than 25 years, and the world’s largest single market with a population of more than 500 million people. At the end of 2009, EU Foreign direct investment in Australia totalled $146.6 billion - aproximately 34% of total foreign direct investment.

Since the EABC’s establishment more than ten years ago, our Members have contributed greatly towards forging stronger business and institutional links between the European Union and Australia, working in close partnership with the official agencies of the European Commission and the Australian Government, and other peak business organisations.

EABC 2013 Business Mission to Europe

The European Australian Business Council (EABC) welcomed the announcement that the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, has agreed, with the Government’s support, to lead its 2013 Business Mission to Europe.

This will be the seventh mission undertaken by the EABC whose objective is to promote trade and investment between Australia and Europe, and to connect business and policy-makers on issues affecting Australia’s largest economic relationship.

EABC Chairman and Chairman of BKK Partners Alastair Walton said that the Council was delighted the Governor-General had agreed to be the leader of the Mission.

“The Governor-General’s leadership of the Mission will bolster efforts by Australian and European leaders to forge a stronger and deeper bilateral relationship" Mr Walton said.

The Mission, that will be run from 2-7 June 2013,  will be the 7th EABC Mission to Europe, and the first economic mission led by a Governor-General of Australia.

Media Release

EABC - Building Brand Australia - Australia Unlimited

“EABC is delighted to partner with Austrade to promote the Australia Unlimited campaign in key markets in Europe. Australia is well-recognised for the quality of its lifestyle, friendly people and can-do attitude. What’s less known is the strength of a growing, diverse and technologically-advanced economy strategically located in Asia. European companies and investors are seeing these opportunities and the Building Brand Australia campaign is a fantastic way to bring all of these elements together with a powerful and compelling message about what makes up Australia’s success, and where we are headed.”

- Jason Collins, CEO, European Australian Business Council

During the June 2012 Business Mission, EABC members Alastair Walton, Nick Greiner and Hugh Morgan gave presentations to business audiences organised by Austrade in Frankfurt and The Hague, on opportunities in the financial services, investment, infrastructure and resources sectors in Australia as part of the Australia Unlimited outreach campaign.

EABC Participation in 12th Asia-Europe Business Forum & Meeting with Prime Minister Julia Gillard

A delegation of EABC Members was delighted to accept an invitation from Prime Minister Julia Gillard to participate in the 12th Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF12), held at the Egmont Palace Brussels on Monday 4th October, and to meet with the Prime Minister to discuss EABC's forward agenda. Read more

Message of congratulation by President Barroso to Ms Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia

"Dear Prime Minister,

I would like to congratulate you on your reappointment as Prime Minister of Australia and wish you every success in the exercise of your mandate.

I look forward to working with you and your government as we continue to strengthen the important bilateral relationship between the European Union and Australia. Close cooperation between the European Union and Australia will be essential if we are to successfully meet the global challenges we are faced with, none being more pressing than climate change. Both the European Union and Australia also have a responsibility to ensure a positive outcome in the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations and that the G20 Summit in Seoul contributes to the goal of restoring strong, sustainable and balanced growth in the world economy.

I look forward to making your acquaintance at an early opportunity.

Please accept, dear Prime Minister, the assurance of my highest consideration."

- José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission