AKBC e-Newsletter November

Dear AKBC Members,

I’m delighted to announce my return to the role of Executive Director of the AKBC. I would like to express my appreciation to Louise Clunies-Ross for her leadership while I was on parental leave. Louise's dedication and leadership have been instrumental in maintaining the momentum and integrity of the initiatives at the AKBC. As we move forward, I am excited to continue our journey towards fostering stronger connections between the business communities of Australia and Korea.
 
The economic relationship between our nations continues to flourish, marked by a keen interest in our complementary economic profiles. A key focus for both Australia and South Korea is the shift towards renewable energy, with South Korea leading global efforts in hydrogen development for power generation. Significant collaborations, such as the recent MoUs between Pilot Energy and Samsung C&T, and Samsung C&T with the Northern Territory Government, underscore this commitment. As the world moves towards a lower carbon future, we anticipate more ventures in energy and critical minerals, alongside sectors like food and agriculture, where Australia’s commitment to ESG principles and responsible farming aligns with South Korea's priorities in food security.
 
In terms of travel, we are witnessing exciting developments, such as Melbourne Airport's new direct flights to Seoul. South Korean tourists are increasingly choosing Australia as a destination, evident in the 45% increase in visitors at Sydney Airport in October compared to 2019.

For our golf enthusiasts, we congratulate Korean-Australian superstar Min Woo Lee on winning the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship. We look forward to watching Min Woo and Minji Lee's participation in this week’s Australian Open.
 
As we approach 2024, the AKBC is gearing up for an eventful year, including the 45th AKBC-KABC Joint Meeting in Perth, Western Australia. We will be announcing the dates shortly and look forward to your continued engagement and support in these endeavours. I look forward to reconnecting with all our members over next few months and continuing to work to bring our two nations closer together. 

Please click here to read the full newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

Liz Griffin
Executive Director
Australia-Korea Business Council