Collective Community Connection

Collective Community Connection Bringing out the Best in the IndiaAustralia Relationship

Joseph Kolapudi

Out of challenging times, the strongest of connections are forged. The India Australia Business and Community Awards (IABCA) celebrations for 2021 will be recognising this connection by highlighting emerging leaders from both countries in a new and special way.

For the first time, participants from India have been chosen from hundreds of submissions across the country to combine with their fellow Australian compatriots in a celebratory occasion for the ages.

As always, the awards evening will be the culmination of Indian excellence and emerging Australian leaders who have contributed to both their Indian identity and their Australian audacity. Additionally, this year’s occasion will take on a deeper meaning with the recognition of leaders who have made an impact between 2020-2021, especially in light of the recent COVID-19 crisis.

For the finalists, the IABCA Awards will also usher in a new approach to the awards platform that includes recognition from both countries, highlighting the shared heritage of India and Australia in a combined celebration.

Unlike previous years, the awards evening will also feature new award categories, a special emphasis on cultural pioneers and history, as well as a spotlight on the bilateral relationship between India and Australia. This will also be a combined effort between emerging leaders from both countries who will be able to forge deeper connections during this ‘meeting of the minds’ at the upcombing IABCA Awards gala in May.

In addition to the festivities, the IABCA celebrations will also feature the very first IABCA Global Leaders Forum prior to the awards evening which will be taking place on the same evening. This forum will provide a highlighted opportunity to hear from leading speakers from both Indian and Australian descent on a wide range of topics affecting the bilateral relationship, from trade to economic engagement, business and culture, leadership and change. As a complimentary addition to attendees, this event will be open to the public.

With the Indian diaspora facing many challenges as of late due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, international student stoppages, travel restrictions and visa upheavals, the recognition of the cultural ties between the two countries could not be more needed at a time such as this. Despite the constrained relationship diplomatically with other nations, Australia has maintained its cultural and economical connection to India over the past several years, with this year being no exception. ebration this year, the finalists will also share the stage with those from both the motherland, and the homeland. It is set to be an inaugural event of its kind that will continue to be a staple within the Indian-Australian community celebrations to come.

The seventh anniversary of the IABCA awards will be a special occasion to mark not only the continuation of an annual tradition, but the inclusion of a new one, with both attendees and finalists from each country highlighted and efforts recognised, from the youth to the professional. Rising ambassadors and special guests are set to be both informed and entertained by the special occasion to be.

As the community continues to grow and the diaspora enlarges both at home and abroad, the special connection between the nations of India and Australia will not only have an incredible importance to our shared heritage, but also, for our future legacy. This occasion will continue to raise the standard for excellence and integrity at its core for both the established and emerging generation.

For descendants of the diaspora, the Indian nation remains our past, present and our future.

ABSC Inc. Hosts Annual Gala Dinner to Launch Ekonomos, Issue 2, 2020

By: Harmohan Singh Walia

The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted an exclusive Annual Gala Dinner to launch the second issue of EKONOMOS, the official business affairs magazine published by the association at The Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Homebush NSW on Thursday 3 December 2020.

More than ninety VIPs, diplomatic officials and guests convened in the Lake Room of the five-star reception venue to celebrate the notable achievements of this peak management consultant forum in what has been, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an extremely difficult time for business, trade and investment. ABSC Inc. president Dr Frank Alafaci welcomed the audience par excellence that had gathered for the memorable occasion, including H. E. Dr Alexey Pavlovsky (Ambassador of the Russian Federation); H. E. Mr Igor Arzhaev (Consul General of the Russian Federation); H. E. Mr Ali Sevim (Consul General of the Republic of Turkey); H. E. Mr Ezzedin Tago (Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines); H. E. Mr Lawrence Bughariar (Consul General of Malta); H. E. Mr Deepak Khadka (Consul General of Nepal); Mr Selcuk Bozok (Vice Consul of the Republic of Turkey); Mr Mohammed Nagshabandi (Vice Consul of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia); Mr Jack Liu (Deputy Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office); Mr Hasan Gencturk (President, MUSIAD Sydney [Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association]); Mr Joe Khattar AM (President, Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce); Mr Michael Rizk (Head of Trade Relations, Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce); Mr Michael Harkins MVO PSM KSJ (Secretary General, Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association); Mr Adrian Wong (Councillor, Fairfield City Council); Mr Fred Faker (Founding Director, Arc Energy Group); Mr Remy Wehbe (Chief Executive Officer, Wehbe Group); Mr Piers Morgan (Executive Director, Weringa Group); Mr Damien Coorey (Principal / Director, CRM Brokers Pty Ltd); and Dr Anthony De Francesco (Managing Director, Real Investment Analytics Pty Ltd).

As the president of the Australian Business Summit Council Inc. for the second year running, Dr Frank Alafaci commended this eminent forum’s tireless efforts and activities to promote business growth down under and economic relations between the Australian domestic market and the international business community. Indeed, the association has been extensively promoting bilateral trade, investment and innovation that are diversifying into high value-added and technologically advanced sectors and industries through both large-scale domestic and offshore provision of cutting-edge management, infrastructure, and services capabilities. Pursuant to its well-grounded goals, the organisation will