November 2020 ALABC E-Newsletter

Dear {Contact_First_Name},

On the 12th November 2020, an MOU was signed between ALABC and the Chilean Federation of Industry (SOFOFA)  for the establishment of the Australia-Chile Business Council (ACHBC). The ACHBC will provide a regular platform for a more systematic approach of cooperation, coordination and consultation for the private sector. The mandate of this new organisation is to explore new ways to expand and deepen the business links between the two countries.

This strategic alliance with SOFOFA, represents unique opportunities for the members of ALABC to access key players and decision makers in the Chilean private sector. Given Australia’s outstanding success in managing the current health crisis and the current economic stability, medical and economic conditions in place, there has never been a better time for Chilean companies to explore investment opportunities in Australia.

Chile is home to over 200 Australian companies, of which over one quarter are listed on the ASX200. This is by far the largest Australian presence in Latin America. Some of the Chilean companies already present in Australia are Antofagasta Minerals, SQM, Duratray, ENAEX, Latam Airlines, Arauco and CMPC. In 2009, Chile became just the fifth country in the world to sign a Free Trade Agreement with Australia.

As a member of ALABC you can join this Advisory Group just by simply editing your member profile here:

The Board of ALABC would also like to recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion when delivering our services to our members and stakeholders. We strive to ensure commitments are made between cross cultural, institutional, societal and organisational departments with our members, industry partners, government agencies and the broader community. We will actively engage in promoting our vision and goals and its connections to the business environment between Australia and Latin America. 

Currently, the ALABC board is comprised of 30% women and 50% of our permanent staff is female. ALABC is proud to continue to grow and establish relationships with all individuals who want to develop stronger economic ties between Australia and Latin America. 

Finally, I would also like to draw attention to the Council on Australia Latin America Relations has opened a new Special Grant Round which replaces the 2020-21 grant round postponed earlier this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Grant Round has the focus theme of ‘Economic Recovery’ and will support innovative activities that use digital technologies to strengthen relationships between Australia and Latin America and contribute to COVID-19 economic recovery. Please click here for more information. 

We hope you are all keeping safe and well in the lead up to the holidays and I look forward to hearing any feedback regarding potential business ventures for 2021. 

Yours sincerely,

Marcelo Salas

Chief Executive Officer 

Australia-Latin America Business Council

ceo@alabc.com.au

Establishment of the joint business council the Australia-Chile Business Council

On November 12, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Australia-Latin America Business Council and the Chilean Federation of Industry (SOFOFA) for the establishment of the Australia-Chile Business Council ACHBC), to foster closer friendship and promote economic, trade and investment between Australia and Chile.

COALAR GRANT ROUND

The Council on Australia Latin America Relations has opened a new Special Grant Round which replaces the 2020-21 grant round postponed earlier this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Special Grant Round has the focus theme of ‘Economic Recovery’ and will support innovative activities that use digital technologies to strengthen relationships between Australia and Latin America and contribute to COVID-19 economic recovery. A shorter period of 1 April to 30 September 2021 is available to undertake activities.

Finding Opportunities In Latin America's Corporate Sector

Over the past seven months, the grim specter of Covid-19 has thrown a wrench even into the best-laid – and most thoroughly considered – plans for growth and expansion. Companies of all sizes struggle to expand, and the global economy has taken a huge hit, pushing it into a recession.

World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2019 Revision.

Latin America’s hydrogen opportunity: from national strategies to regional cooperation

The use of hydrogen as a low-carbon fuel is taking an increasingly prominent role in global energy discussions. At the Osaka Summit in 2019, G20 leaders emphasised that hydrogen technologies are critical to enable clean energy transitions as highlighted in the IEA report The Future of Hydrogen.

Latin American nations should be luring factories from China. But most are asleep at the wheel

Amid all the gloom and doom about its current economic crisis, Latin America has a golden opportunity to grow — thanks to several potentially favorable world trends. But the big question is whether the region will take advantage of them, instead of getting distracted by stupid issues.

Chilean mining explosives major Enaex to buy Downer Blasting Services in Australia

Downer EDI Ltd has announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its blasting services business Downer Blasting Services to Enaex SA. Enaex is a subsidiary of the Chilean company Sigdo Koppers Group, which has operations in five continents, and is the largest producer of explosive-grade ammonium nitrate in Latin America.The sale price represents an enterprise value of A$62 million.

'Virtual' meet the ALABC Directors for Christmas Drinks

Date: Thursday 10th December 2020

Time: 6:00PM AEDT

Please join ALABC in for a virtual opportunity to meet the Board of Directors for a Christmas Drink. This session will allow for registered members to engage and demonstrate how their company has performed over the past year. 

Foreign Exchange Strategies for Latin America

Date: Thursday 11th February 2021

Time: 8:30 AM AEDT

Please join ALABC in collaboration with the Cambridge Global Payments team for an update on Latin American markets, as well as:

• Key challenges facing organisations operating in the region
• Currency risk mitigation strategies and how to positively impact your bottom line
• Cambridge services as they relate to Latin America and other exotic currency locations

FEATURED SPEAKERS: 

Craig Killaby: APAC Treasury and Market Analyst, Cambridge Global Payments

Frank Koufalas: National Business Manager, Cambridge Global Payments

Beaver Process Equipment

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SharpEIT

At Sharp EIT we know how critical our products and services can be to your day-to-day operations – and that’s why we place such a strong emphasis on our ability to help keep your business running. Our years of expertise in Office Printers, Digital Signage and Managed IT Services will assist you to work smarter, perform more efficiently and streamline your business processes.

Global Victoria Women (CVw) Virtual Seminar

Global Victoria is delighted to invite you

to participate in the Global Victoria Women (GVw) virtual seminar: The Female Business Leader in 2020. The seminar builds on the success of the first all-female inbound trade mission, the Global Victoria Women (GVw). Summit held in Melbourne in March 2020.

The Fracht Group Expands in Canada

In line with Fracht’s strategy to strengthen its global network in key markets, Fracht Canada has just opened a new office in Toronto.  The new Toronto office is headed by Regional President, Paul Moon who is a veteran to the freight forwarding industry.  He is supported by Regional Sales Manager, Douglas Thajer who also has a solid career in forwarding. 

The new Toronto office is located at 2680 Matheson Blvd East, Suite 102, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4W 0A5 - Office Numbers  +1- 365-657-0667 paul.moon@fracht.com or +1-365-657-0668 doug.thajer@fracht.com  

Comments Peter Pluess, Chairman of Fracht Australia “With the combination of the talented skills of these two gentlemen and the resources of the world-wide Fracht Group, these developments highlight Fracht’s continued commitment to growth and to be closer to their customers needs.”  For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact peterpluess@frachtsyd.com.au

Travel Exemptions for Latin America

An Australian citizen or a permanent resident can apply for a travel exemption to leave Australia if they meet at least one of the following:

• your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid 
• your travel is essential for your business/employer
• you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
• you are travelling outside Australia for three months or longer
• you are travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds 
• your travel is in the national interest.

Brazilian Tax Reform

On July 21st the Brazilian Government presented its 4-phase plan for Tax Reform. The first phase of the government project proposes that the federal contributions (referred to as PIS / COFINS) be replaced by a contribution on Goods and Services (simplified as ‘CBS’ for its Portuguese acronym), which would function as a federal value added tax (‘VAT’). The Government’s proposal is coherent with the broader Constitutional Amendment Projects (PEC) being discussed in Congress for creation of a single Goods and Services Tax (“GST”), which in addition to PIS / COFINS, would also seek to unify the State ICMS tax (a quasi-VAT) and Municipal ISS tax (a cumulative tax on certain service charges).

Australia and Chile: Our Green Hydrogen Future – From Aspiration to Realisation"

Perth Australia-Latin America Business Luncheon 2020

On the 19th of November 2020, ALABC hosted our first in person event since the height of the COVID-19 crisis. The luncheon was a huge success having accommodated for members and friends of ALABC to gather together to discuss insights and business opportunities post pandemic. 

A special thank you to our two speakers, Vanessa Torres and Steve Garwin who gave insightful and relevant skills and resources to better the business links between Australia and Latin America. 

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