Hellenic Australian Business Council
The Hellenic Australian Business Council, or HABC is a non profit trade and investment development agency that supports bilateral business and political relations between Greece and Australia, as well as providing a forum & platform for information exchange via news, announcements and events such as business forums, roundtables, conferences, missions and road shows. The HABC’s mission is to forge stronger business links between Australia and Greece. Members include key economic and political stakeholders in Greece and Australia: corporations, organisations, trade and investment agencies, as well as distinguished individuals from business, politics, government and academia.
Global Network
The Secretariat of the HABC and Director reside in Athens, Greece with branches in Thessaloniki and Heraklion. Meanwhile, strong political and business ties existing in Australia, backed by both the Australian and Greek foreign embassies, as well as leading private enterprises. HABC business partners and members originate from a variety of sectors in both Greece and Australia.
History
The Hellenic-Australian Business Council (HABC) was founded in June 2012 in Athens to connect and support bilateral business relations between Greece and Australia, including private enterprise, organisations, foreign trade agencies and investments, as well as corporations with significant commercial interests in Greek and Australian markets or SMEs striving to do so. The HABC is the first organisation established in Greece that provides a direct platform and network for Greek and Australian companies, business and industry groups, as well as other organisations to have regular exchange on trade imports-exports, and investment issues.
Organisational Services
The Hellenic-Australian Business Council (HABC)'s mission is to connect and support bilateral business relations between Greece and Australia, including private commercial enterprises, foreign trade agencies, investors, SMEs, organisations, individuals, political figures, as well as others with significant business interests in the Greek and/or Australian markets - boosting trade. From trade exports & imports, investment opportunities in key sectors relevant to each market, education prospects, to information on starting a business in Australia & Greece, the HABC is a non-profit, non-governmental agency. HABC endorses members & offers them an avenue to connect with the right trade, investment & business partners. HABC’s services include:
- Members directory platform to search and connect with possible business and political partners in Greece and Australia
- Participation in events: business seminars, conferences, business missions, corporate forums, luncheons, receptions, roundtables and other functions
- Business and political networking possibilities
- Trade/investment support mechanisms
- Media & information: website, special announcements, press releases, newsletters, multimedia
- Identification and promotion of trade and investment opportunities in both Greece and Australia
- Market/sector information on Greece and Australia, including general business environment, economy, politics, sectors, doing business
- On-the-ground support, through partnerships/allies in both Australia and Greece
Governance
HABC is a Nonprofit organization registered in Greece as an association. It is a non-governmental, non-political association governed by a Board of Directors elected by Members. The Board of Directors, elected for one year from founding members, has the task of attracting new members and driving initiatives and the organisation’s charter. Corporate membership and event sponsorship is the sole source of funding for the Business Council.
- Board of the Hellenic Australian Business Council
- President, Mr Michalis Bodouroglou, President and CEO of shipping group Allseas Marine S.A.
- V. President, Mr Christos Folias, CEO of Folias & Associates / ex-Minister of Development
- G. Secretary, Dr Antonis Markopoulos, Deputy Managing Director Asia Pacific, Intralot
- Treasurer, Mrs Annie Michaelides, Executive V. President of Ε.ΒΙ.Ε-I. Michailides S.A.
- Members & Deputy Members
- Captain Panayiotis N. Tsakos, Founder of the Tsakos Group of Companies
- Mr Antonis Adamopoulos, President & CEO of Shelman-Alfawood
- Mr Emmanuel Domazakis, CEO of Creta Farms
- Mr Konstantinos Salonikis, CEO & General Manager of Thrace Minerals
- Mr Konstantinos Koronakis, President of D. Koronakis
- Mr Stefanos Tsipas, President of Denima
- Mr Nicolas Fournarakis, President of Vandomus
- Mrs Christina Sakellaridis, President of PanHellenic Exporters Association
- Mr Athanasios Lavidas, President of Lavipharm
- Mr Athanasios Tzikas, President and CEO of Thessaloniki International Fair
- Secretariat & Managing Director
- Ms Ioanna Gouvatsou, Director of Hellenic Australian Business Council
Official Partners
HABC’s official partners include bilateral Chambers of Commerce (Hellenic-Australian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), the Australian Embassy in Athens, the Greek Embassy in Canberra, Australia, and Consulates throughout the country, as well as official government agencies and organisations that support trade and investment in both countries, such as Invest in Greece and Austrade. Australian Ambassador to Greece, Albania and Bulgaria, H.E. Mrs Jenny Bloomfield - Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade ‘Ambassadors’ is an honorary member of the Hellenic Australian Business Council, and was influential in its establishment.
See also
- Australian economy
- Greek economy
- Austrade
- List of High Commissioners and Ambassadors of Australia
External links
- Official