July 2021 ALABC E-Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome to our July 2021 Newsletter.

I am very pleased to announce the launch of our Soft-Landing program to help qualified, mature technology companies and scale-ups from Latin America, build revenue and secure investment in the Australian market by helping to cover their initial costs, connecting them with the local business ecosystem and fast-track their transition. The support provided by ALABC through the Soft-Landing program will allow Latin American organisations to attract customers in Australia to more quickly become cashflow positive.

If you are already an ALABC member, you can also get involved in this program by offering your services and advice, mentoring Latin American entrepreneurs or evaluating business prospects. All you have to do is update your member’s profile here and follow the instructions attached here. 

If you would like to promote this initiative to your database, please complete this form to receive the marketing materials and have your logo listed as a supporter. 

In the context of the current COVID-19 situation and border closures between states throughout Australia impacting several attendees, sponsors and speakers, we have made the difficult but appropriate decision to postpone the ALABC Perth Annual Dinner: Lithium and Electro-mobility Challenges between Australia and Latin America. 

The ALABC Annual Report for 2021 is also available to read and download.

 Newsletter July 2021: IN THIS ISSUE 

• Industry News - A combination of news articles specifically curated for news relevant to the Latin American region. 
• Upcoming Events - Registration links so that you can secure your place at important business events. 
• Featured Members - Find out which companies are being featured this month. 
• New Members - Get in contact with our new member companies to create new business opportunities. 
• Previous Events - Gain access to previous event photos and webinar recordings to share with your friends and colleagues on social media. 
• Event Sponsorship Opportunities - Provide more exposure to your business by sponsoring an ALABC event through event partnerships and marketing strategies. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have collaboration opportunities. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Yours sincerely,

Marcelo Salas

Chief Executive Officer 

Australia-Latin America Business Council

ceo@alabc.com.au

ALABC is pleased to announce the launch of the Soft-Landing Platform to easily and successfully fast-track your business into the Australian market!

If you are a Latin American Company offering a product, service or technology in the Agri-Tech, METS and/or FinTech industry that offers a market solution, we want you to apply. 

COALAR 2020-21 Special Grant Round outcomes

The Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) will open the 2021-2022 Grant Round at 1600 AEST on Monday 19 July 2021. It will close at 1600 AEST Friday 10 September 2021. 

Higher Education, Productivity and Competitiveness in Ibero-America – An Interview with Mariano Jabonero

How to increase productivity and competitiveness in a complex and changing environment? The new report of the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI), “Higher Education, Productivity and Competitiveness in Ibero-America,” seeks to answer this question and offer some recommendations to resolve the existing gaps. We had the opportunity to talk with Mariano Jabonero, Secretary General of the OEI, about the new report and its implications for the Ibero-American region.

Argentina set on becoming a world leader in lithium production

Guillermo Lasso – Ecuador is Back

In the last presidential elections, the Ecuadorian people gave their massive support to a government that will be a friend to the world. A government that today is formed by citizens that have the creation of employment and post-pandemic economic reactivation as their priority.

Chile prepares to implement the use of green hydrogen in Mining

At least three mining initiatives that are in their development stages are looking to incorporate the use of green hydrogen, considering the potential that this technology is thought to have in Chile.

In this context, the Chilean Government has presented its “Guide for the Approval of Pilot Projects in Mining,” an initiative led by the Mining and Energy Ministries, alongside the National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN). The aim is to provide greater assurances to companies that want to use hydrogen in the mining industry, a sector that is considered fundamental to promoting the use of the fuel during its initial phases of development.

Sustainable mining of raw materials from thermal springs in Chile

Lithium, cesium, or even gold—in addition to energy geothermal waters can contain mineral treasures. In the BrineMine research project, researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) want to leverage this potential and support sustainable mining in Chile.

Chile inaugurates the first thermal solar plant in Latin America

U.S. private equity firm EIG Global Energy Partners inaugurated Latin America's first thermal solar plant, a project in Chile's sun-drenched Atacama desert that the South American nation hopes will smooth its path to a low-carbon future.

Australia-Brazil Resources & Energy update

Climate Chatter: Journey to Net Zero

Thinking about setting a Net Zero target for your organisation? Already set one but not sure how to get there? No matter where you are on your journey, join our "Journey to Net Zero" webinar for an overview of the key concepts and steps that are crucial for your Net Zero strategy. It's a complex topic but this webinar is designed to provide clear guidance and practical actions you can use to advance your Net Zero momentum.

Date: Wednesday 28th July 2021

Time: 2pm (AEST)

Location: Webinar

Climate Chatter: Net Zero Aligned Carbon Offsetting

Compensating for emissions by purchasing carbon credits is a key piece of the climate action puzzle. With more companies making commitments to Net Zero, what role does offsetting have to play? Whether you are already offsetting emissions and want to transition to a Net Zero strategy, or want to start offsetting with an ambitious target in mind, this webinar will provide clear and constructive guidance from our experts.

Join our "Net Zero aligned carbon offsetting" webinar to stay up to date with the latest carbon market trends and learn how to develop your carbon offsetting strategy and portfolio.

Date: Wednesday 4th August 2021

Time: 2pm (AEST)

Location: Webinar

Green Hydrogen: Challenges and Opportunities between Australia and Chile

Please join the Australia-Chile Business Council for a webinar on the Green Hydrogen efforts in Chile and why it matters for your business. 

Date: Thursday 5th August 2021

Time: 9am - 10am (AEST)

Chile: Wednesday 4th August 2021 7pm

Location: Webinar

The Melbourne Annual Ibero-American Business Networking Event

ALABC in partnership with La Camara is pleased to extend an invitation to our members and friends to attend this business networking event over drinks and canapés. 

Date: Thursday 19th August 2021

Time: 6pm - 7:30pm

Location: Bomba Bar, 103 Lonsdale Street Melbourne VIC 3000.

Mining ESG: What comes next in Brazil, Chile and Peru

This Mining ESG Forum, hosted by ALABC and PwC, will discuss key challenges and opportunities in these three locations' mining sector as awareness and understanding of ESG grows, while a changing landscape adds more complexities for organisations and investors.

Date: Thursday 26th August 2021

Time: 8:30am

Location: Zoom Webinar

ALABC Perth Dinner: Lithium and Electromobility Panel of Experts and Latin American Leadership Award Presentation

Please join ALABC with the Australia-Chile Business Council at the Perth Annual Dinner 2021 for a celebration of the growing relationship between Australia and Latin America. 

This event will have special guests from the Lithium and Electromobility sector who will participate in a panel specially curated for the links between the two regions. 

Please register early as places are limited.

Date: Thursday 26th August 2021

Time: 6pm - 10pm (AWST)

Location: Pan Pacific Hotel, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000

Dress: Business attire

Boardroom Luncheon with Zimi Meka - CEO of Ausenco

The Vice-Chair of ALABC in Brisbane Mr. Rob Whiddon is delighted to welcome you to our boardroom luncheon featuring Zimi Meka, CEO of Ausenco.

Please register early as places are limited. 

Date: Wednesday 1st September 2021

Time: 12pm-2pm

Location: The Brisbane Club, 241 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000

ALABC Canberra Networking Day 2021

Exclusive invite for ALABC Patron & Large Corporate Members to participate in our 11th Annual Canberra Networking Day 2021. Please join us at Parliament House in Canberra bringing together our Patron and Large Corporate Members with the Latin American heads of mission, the directors of the ALABC, representatives of key allies (e.g. Department of Industry, Department of Home Affairs, DFAT, state governments, Austrade, etc.) and guests from both the public and private sectors.

Date: Wednesday 27th October 2021

Time: 10 am - 4 pm

Location: Parliament House, Canberra ACT

Mazars

Thiess

Harris Gómez Group

A common experience when reflecting across an extended period of time, is to be amazed at how much has changed, and bewildered by how things remain the same. 20 years ago, Harris Gómez expanded his law firm from its headquarters in Sydney, to its first international office in Santiago Chile. In so doing, the Harris Gómez Group became the first Australian owned law firm to operate in Latin America.

Optalert

Optalert is an innovative wearable MedTech company and leader in the field of Drowsiness and Wakefulness detection and monitoring. Today Optalert’s highly skilled team boasts scientists, hardware and software engineers, data analysts, mathematicians, and a dedicated customer support team based around the globe. Our customers span a variety of industries including: mining, gas & oil, road transport, automotive, scientific research, pharmaceutical drug trials and neurological research.

Rincon Mining Pty Ltd

Rincon is developing a Lithium extraction process at Salar del Rincon in Argentina. Rincon has been operating in Argentina for over 10 years developing the optimal, long life, low cost and impact Lithium extraction process. Its country office is in Salta, Argentina.

Mudbidri Consulting Pty Ltd

Mudbidri Consulting Pty Ltd offers Education, Migration and Consultancy Services.

Education Consultancy Services are offered under the GLOBANCY Brand from our head office in Sydney, Australia and regional Offices in various Locations (Australia, Cambodia, Ecuador, Nepal, Peru and Philippines). GLOBANCY represents Universities, Schools, Vocational Institutes and Language Schools in Various Countries including Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Peru.

Moonvalley Capital

Moonvalley Capital provides financial advisory in diverse fields such as: mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures, capital raising, enterprise valuations, among others. We also engage in private equity and are expanding our capabilities in asset management.

Carnegie Mellon University

At the invitation of the South Australian Government, Carnegie Mellon University opened its campus in Adelaide in 2006., becoming the first international university to establish a campus in Australia.

Carnegie Mellon University in Australia is the Asia-Pacific base of a global CMU footprint which includes campuses in Silicon Valley, Washington DC, Rwanda and Qatar.

BRAZIL-AUSTRALIA TECH WEEK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FINTECH SECTOR FOR BRAZIL AND AUSTRALIA

On the 18th of June 2021, ALABC in collaboration with ApexBrasil discussed the current status of the FinTech sector between Australia and Brazil.

Please watch the webinar recording on the FinTech opportunities that are offered between Brazil and Australia. 

ALABC Member's App to help you stay connected

Staying in touch has been difficult for all of us during this pandemic. With the Member's app, you can interact with fellow members anywhere from your mobile device, update your member profile, including your address, phone, email and Linkedin. You can even email and call fellow members, so it’s easier for you to stay in touch and build a community.

You will find it easier than ever to register and attend events using the mobile app. You can view your event calendar and event details, and register for events directly from the app.

You can also keep on top of your existing event registrations by viewing your tickets, adding events to your calendar, and make online payments.

Please view the information below and consider joining the Australia-Latin America Business Council using the online form. 

Benefits of Membership

• Generate new opportunities
• Make valuable connections
• Have your finger on the pulse
• Gain access to experts
• Be supported in your business challenges

How to join: Please review our fees and benefits below and then submit your application here.