Archive for category: EVENT REVIEW

In an ABIE first, ANiB, ABIE Netherlands, ANZCCL and the German Australian Business Council teamed up to jointly celebrate Australia Day and Waitangi Day at Diepenbeek, in  the Belgian border region of Limburg on 28 January 2023.

About 30 participants flocked to the Jambalaya restaurant at the country town to be greeted by stone crocodiles and stuffed emus (as well as some stuffed local deer) and to be treated to a delicious 3-course-menu. It was a great mix of people and we were delighted to also welcome Jason Collins from the European Australian Business Council whose visit to Belgium coincided with the event. Networking went on for 5 hours and plans are already on the way for a repeat either in the summer or for next year’s Australia Day. Congratulations to our friends in Belgium and Luxembourg for organising a fabulous event!

On December 15 we were able to welcome some 50 people from around the globe who had registered for another Business Council webinar, this time on the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Australia featuring the EU Chief Negotiator, Mr Christophe Kiener and Mr Nils Weller, the coordinator for the EU trade negotiations with Australia.

The topic, the Free Trade Agreement is, of course, very topical. In the current climate of ever changing and shifting trade relations and severe disruptions of supply chains, it is important to have reliable and like-minded partners. While the UK and New Zealand have marched ahead, concluding free trade agreements with Australia and the EU respectively, negotiations on the EU-Australia free trade agreement have recently resumed which gives reason to hope that it may be concluded in the near future.

Mr Kiener shared many insights into where the alignments between the EU and Australia are close… as well as those areas where work has still to be done. He did express the hope that the main topics could be concluded by the end of 2023, but also pointed out that all governements – in the EU that would be 26! – would then still have to ratify the agreement, a process that could take a while as well. As these agreements in general then tend to stand for several decades this investment in time is, however, considered well worth while by both parties.

Participants fielded many a great question which Mr Kiener was able to expand on so that the full hour set aside for the webinar was well and truly filled.

As the topic will still be relevant for a while, it is planned to provide an update with another online or even in-person event in 2023.

ingeniam and the German Australian Business Council were pleased to host a joint event, in celebration of their respective 20th and 25th anniversaries on 24th of October 2022 at the ingeniam facilities in Frankfurt.

Both speakers:

• Stephan Breitfeld – Managing Partner, ingeniam, Frankfurt
• Allan Laurie – Managing Partner, NOVUS Search Partners,  Sydney

provided insights into recent phenomena called Great Reassessment both from Australian and German perspectives.

Many employees and employers are reviewing their opportunities worldwide, as remote working is becoming more common. Nevertheless, the legal framework to facilitate the so-called “Nomad-Visas” between Germany and Australia, neede to be enhanced by their respective governments. For the time being, remote working is allowed within the EU, for a certain period of time, in order to keep the remote worker subject of taxation in the member state of origin.

In Australia remote working is allowed between the different states, as Allan illustrated, working for  Novus based in Sydney, from his home in Regional Victoria. He also mentioned that certain companies in Australia are currently hiring remote workers from Latin America.

Beside his time at Novus, Allan also provided insights as the Chief Executive Officer of Munarra – Australia’s First Indigenous Led University –  beginning the operation in 2024.

Stephan informed that the extended periods of remote working might increase the flexibility to take on new jobs opportunities, which on the other hand, might decrease the loyalty. Inclusive work environments and soft skills like empathy, vulnerability of the leadership are becoming more important. Moderated by the Deputy Chair, Sabine Pittrof, the attendees were given the opportunity to shape actively the discourse e.g. asking how blue collar workers are trying to shift from their presence jobs into remote working.

The participants let the event fade away in a relaxing, networking atmosphere.

On the 25th of September 2022, more than 150 participants from the Munich International Networking Groups attended the Oktoberfest Business Networking Event – which included the German Australian Business Council (GABC), American-German Business Club (AGBC), Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce and the Irish Business Network (IBN). Business Council Members and guests enjoyed a traditional Oktoberfest menu at the Schottenhamel tent, raising glasses and singing along with the Bavarian folk music being performed on the central orchestra stage. There was also an opportunity for networking and discussion in person. Everybody enjoyed the special and joyful atmosphere.