December 2021 ALABC E-Newsletter

Dear Members and Friends,


On behalf of the Board of Directors of ALABC, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our last newsletter of the year 2021 and send you our best wishes for the festive season and a happy new year 2022.


We had a very successful 2021 at ALABC as we were able to keep adding value to our members and fulfil our mission and vision, despite some adverse conditions due to the global health crisis.


We were extremely pleased with the support we have received from our members and sponsors, that kept renewing their commitment to the Latin American region. We are also very grateful to the Australian Federal Government and we feel very proud of our partnerships with Global Victoria, Trade and Investment Queensland and more recently with Investment NSW.

Marcelo Salas

Chief Executive Officer

Australia-Latin America Business Council

Connect on LinkedIn >>

For 2022, we will be starting activities early in the new year with our traditional dinners, workshops, conferences and webinars. I invite you to check our calendar of upcoming events and explore the new opportunities we offer to partner with ALABC. We will soon re-launch the Latin American Business Excellence Award competition and our very successful Soft-Landing Program for Latin American companies wanting to grow their business presence in Australia. We will continue improving our alliances with like-minded organisations based in Latin America, as we have done with Chile, Peru, Mexico, Central America and Mercosur. If you are interested in joining these binational advisory groups, please do so by following the instructions here


ALABC is currently testing new digital platforms to facilitate the business connections between our members and with key contacts and stakeholders. These will be embedded in our website that is also going through an optimisation process.


I would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday period. We hope that 2022 brings more health and recovery as we strive towards growing the business links between Australia and Latin America. I look forward to connecting with you all in the new year.

IN THIS ISSUE:

  • 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. 

    Yours sincerely,
    Marcelo Salas
    Chief Executive Officer 
    Australia-Latin America Business Council
    ceo@alabc.com.au

    Latin American Ambassadors and Heads of Mission


    ALABC would like to provide a warm welcome to the newly appointed Latin American Ambassadors and Heads of Mission. We look forward to collaborating with these embassies in 2022 to provide our members with country specific updates on a range of sectors in the region. 

    HE Mr Werner Matias Romero Guerra

    Ambassador of El Salvador


    Ambassador Werner Matías Romero was appointed Ambassador of El Salvador to the Commonwealth of Australia on March 8, 2021, and presented his letters of credence to the Governor General of Australia, H. E. the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) on April 8, 2021.

    Read more >>

    HE Mr Oscar Atehortua

    Ambassador of Colombia 


    Professional in Business Administration, Police Administrator of the National Directorate of Schools, Specialist in Integral Security, master’s in political studies, master’s in public safety and master’s in quality management and Excellence in Organizations.

    Read more >>

    HE Mr Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio

    Ambassador of Brazil 


    Mauricio Carvalho Lyrio was born in Rio de Janeiro on April 18, 1967. He is a career diplomat and served at the Brazilian Embassies in Washington (1999-2002), Buenos Aires (2002-2005) and Beijing (2011-2013). He was the Brazilian Ambassador to Mexico between February 2018 and September 2021.

    Read more >>

    HE Mrs Itzel Anays  Patino Guerra De Villarreal 

    Ambassador of Panama 

    • Ambassador of Panama to Australia 

    • Adviser to the Directorate General for Foreign Policy, 2015

    • Head of the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East Department, Directorate-General for Foreign Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 2015-April 2018.

    • Head of the Scholarship and International Academic Mobility Department, September 2019 to date.

    Read more >>

    HE Mr Maximo Gowland 

    Ambassador of Argentina


    Argentine lawyer and diplomat – Graduated at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in 1990. Practiced civil, administrative and commercial law between 1991/94. Entered the Argentine Foreign Service in January of 1997 following the two-year syllabus at the Argentine Foreign Service Institute (ISEN).


    Took up office as Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Australia on December 8th, 2021.

    Read more >>

    Australia-Peru Business Council Executive Committee


    ALABC would like to announce and welcome the members of the executive committee for the Australian chapter for the Australia-Peru Business Council (APBC). We are very grateful for these members and we look forward to providing our network with relevant and insightful knowledge to strengthen the business relationships between Australia and Peru. 

    Mr. Zimi Meka

    CEO

    Ausenco


    Zimi Meka is one of the founding directors of Ausenco Pty Ltd and was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in 1999.


    Zimi’s background includes senior roles in engineering and operations companies prior to the formation of Ausenco in 1991. He has over 38 years’ experience in the development and operation of a wide range of processing plants and infrastructure in the minerals industry in Australia and internationally. 

    Connect on LinkedIn >>

    Mr. Troy Hey 

    Executive General Manager Corporate Relations

    MMG


    Executive General Manager with Group Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, Investor Relations, Social Performance, IT and Shared Services Responsibilities.

    Connect on LinkedIn >>

    Mr. John Woods

    Former Australian Ambassador to Peru


    Specialties: Trade, Investment & Government Negotiation- Latin America, Government liaison, International Relations, Diplomacy, Strategic Advice, Political & Economic analysis, Advocacy, Sustainable Development, International Education Collaboration.

    Connect on LinkedIn >>

    Liliana Harris

    Partner

    Mazars


    My years of experience as an accountant in Australia and my legal background after working as a commercial lawyer in Peru for about 8 years, allows me to work with businesses of all sizes and identify opportunities, provide solutions and advice with a multidisciplinary approach.

    Connect on LinkedIn >>

    Pacific Alliance Infrastructure Investment Opportunities Portfolio 


    Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, invite you to discover why you should invest in the PPP's leading project of the region. 

    Read more >>

    Key global market trends in the mining sector and how Ecuador can harness them


    • Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today.
    • Summits like this are important because they allow industry, government, and other stakeholders to come together to share knowledge and strengthen support for an industry that is crucial to Ecuador's people and future development.
    • This theme is consistent with BHPs overarching aim of bringing people and resources together to build a better world.
    Read more >>

    Why Mexico Needs to Be on the Radar for Tech Companies


    Over the past year, we have seen a shift in working and personal interactions, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and supported by technological advancement. Apps, software and innovation strategies broadly are evolving at unprecedented rates, and if a company does not have access to the tools and teams for an in-house tech project, it may be a wise move to outsource it. There are, of course, various countries that offer such technology subcontracting.

    Read more >>

    Interview with Juan Carlos Jobet, Chile's Minister of Energy and Mining


    LatAm INVESTOR: Chile has seen massive solar power growth in recent years; is the market now saturated?


    Minister Jobet: The solar power market will continue to grow in the following years in Chile. However, we must habilitate new technologies that allow us to continue incorporating solar photovoltaic (PV) to the grid without it saturating.


    Read more >>

    Solar technology heralds greener future in Chile


    At the heart of the expansive Atacama Desert in northern Chile, a new green technology capable of powering a medium-sized city can be found.


    The region has the highest level of solar radiation on the planet, making it the perfect location for the Cerro Dominador project — the first solar thermal power plant in South America. 

    Read more >>

    LatAm in Focus: COP26's Gauntlet for Brazil and Latin America


    At the beginning of November, leaders from around the world descended on Glasgow for COP26—the UN climate summit. The mood was tense as delegates attempted to secure mutually agreeable commitments with the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees, which would stave off the climate crisis’ worst effects.  


    Read more >>

    BHP Supplier Innovation Program: How METS companies benefit from easier access to supply opportunities and new avenues for collaboration


    With the support of our Patron member BHP, Camila Caceres, Principal Innovation & Community Procurement, will present to the members of the Australia-Latin America Business Council the Supplier Innovation Program to facilitate open innovation, to engage suppliers and implement emerging technologies as part of its Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) Sector Strategy. 


    Date: Thursday 20th January 2022

    Time: 8:30 am (AEDT) 

    Location: Zoom Webinar


    Register early to secure your place. 

    Register here >>

     

    ALABC LATAM METS Panel Discussion: Mining Innovation in Latin America


    Please join us at IMARC to watch a panel discussion on Mining Innovation in Latin America. There will be a panel of experts discussing the mining industry in Latin America and innovative progress and insights across the industry. 


    Date: Monday 31st January 2022

    Time: 4:15pm

    Location: Melbourne Showground


    Please see the IMARC website for the full list of prices. Register using the discount code ALABC for 10% off delegate prices. 


    Please register early as places are limited. Please also join ALABC on the same evening for our Annual Melbourne Dinner at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne. 

    Register here >>

    SAVE THE DATE:

    ALABC Melbourne Annual Dinner 2022


    Please save the date for our upcoming Annual Melbourne Dinner on Monday 31st January 2022. 


    This event will be an execellent way for our network to kick start the year 2022 for business operations between Australia and Latin America. 


    We will be joined by a panel of experts who will be discussing Women leadership in mining/inclusion initiatives in Latin America and Australia.


    Date: Monday 31st January 2022

    Time: 7pm - 10pm

    Location: Crowne Plaza Melbourne, 1/5 Spencer St, Melbourne VIC 3008

    Dress: Business attire


    Please register now to secure your place as numbers are strictly limited. 

    Register here >>

    SAVE THE DATE:

    ALABC Brisbane Annual Dinner 2022


    Please save the date for our upcoming Annual Brisbane Dinner on Thursday 17th March 2022. 


    This event will be an execellent way for our network in Brisbane to kick start the year 2022 for business operations between Australia and Latin America.


    Date: Thursday 17th March 2022

    Time: 6pm - 10pm

    Location: Customs House Brisbane, 399 Queen Street Brisbane

    Dress: Business attire


    We look forward to seeing you there!


    Please register early as places are strictly limited. 

    Register here >>

    Sydney Annual Dinner - Latin American Leadership Award and ALABC-COALAR Business Excellence Award


    Date: Thursday 28th April 2022

    Time: 6:30pm - 10pm

    Location: Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000


    Register here >>
     

    Los Cerros


    Please watch the video on a brief conversation about the Quinchia project with David Tasker and Jason Stirbinskis, Managing Director of Los Cerros. 


    Jason is an executive & consultant across numerous industries (IT, banking, finance, mining, engineering), proactively leading transformational change, re-defining corporate strategy and building corporate capability to capture opportunity in market/industry disruption. A leader of large multidisciplinary teams, he works closely with Boards and stakeholders in an open, collaborative style.

    Watch the video >>

    Investment NSW


    Investment NSW is the NSW Government’s economic development and attraction agency, with a mandate to reinforce NSW as the most desirable place in the world to visit, study, invest and do business.

    The agency is helping to drive the state’s economic recovery and transformation by showcasing NSW business, events, tourism and international study to new markets and investors in Australia and around the world.

    Onshore, it is strengthening the bonds between government, business, industry, academia and investors to foster innovation and generate future-focused jobs in high priority emerging sectors.

    Read more >>

    Mining Skills 


    Backed by over 50 years combined mining experience, Mining Skills Australia with a team of experienced coaching and mentoring professionals is an expert supplier of training through competency-based and proficiency-based programs combined paving the way to further expand our range of services through eLearning capabilities, via our eLearning management system for remote locations or a blended learning approach, including customise training packages for your business needs across the mining industry nationally and globally.

    Read more >>

    IntellTech 


    With headquarters in Brazil and a presence in North America, IntellTech brings to the global mining
    industry the most advanced solutions for intelligent monitoring of dams, slopes and geological structures.


    Mining companies use diverse sensing instrumentation for monitoring geohazards, generating big data
    that without intelligent integration is just noise.


    IntellTech turns data into information by integrating the inspection of geotechnical activities in a mine. Their solutions allow key stakeholders to make informed
    decisions that ensure the mine’s continuous productivity with maximum safety and higher profitability.

    Read more >>

    El Salvador: Bitcoin and innovation in a digital nation


    On Tuesday 14th December, ALABC in collaboration with the Embassy of El Salvador in Australia hosted a webinar on Bitcoin and innovation in a digital nation in El Salvador. 


    We were very thankful to hear from the Minister of Economy, El Salvador, Maria Luisa Hayem Breve, and the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, El Salvador, Adriana Mira.


    Please visit our website to stay up to date on our upcoming events to register your place at the next ALABC event. 


    Watch the recording >>

    Australia and LATAM Energy Management: Pricing trends and Renewable Energy Projects in the regions


    On Thusrday 25th November, ALABC in collaboration with World Kinect hosted a webinar on Energy Management, price trends and renewable energy projects that are active in Australia and Latin America.  


    We would like to thank World Kinect for partnering with us and for providing industry expert knowledge on the topic. 


    For more upcoming ALABC events, please register your place by visting our website. 


    Watch the recording >>

    Ecuador: The Outlook for the Mining Sector, Challenges and Opportunities - With the Vice-Minister of Mines of Ecuador, Mr. Xavier Vera-Grunauer


    On Thursday 18th November we were delighted to host an ALABC member exclusive event for a converstion with the Vice-Minister of Mines of Ecuador, Mr. Xavier Vera-Grunauer.


    This was an opportunity for our members to listen to a presentation from the Vice-Minister and to engage in an intimate discussion on the mining sector in Ecuador. 


    For more upcoming ALABC events for 2022, please visit our website to register. 

    Watch the recording >>

    ALABC & CR Mining - Young Mining Professionals Event: Digital Technology in Mining


    ALABC in collaboration with YMP Brisbane was delighted to host a networking event in Brisbane for young mining professionals, members and stakeholders of ALABC with a technology and innovation focus.


    This valuable networking event allowed for indivduals to hear from experts who are currently operating in the mining technology space and to newtork together to generate business growth and opportunity.  

    See event photos >>

    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.