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continue to provide enlightened views, opinions and suggestions through its seminars, conferences, debates and discussions, MOUs, networking sessions, EXPOS, newsletters and publications, trade delegation meetings and economic roundtables on formulating comprehensive policies, measures and practical recommendations to enhance Australian commercial ties with our established regional trading partners as well as identifying lucrative trade and investment prospects within hitherto untapped extraterritorial economic environments.

Heading the keynote speeches at the Annual Gala Dinner, H. E. Dr Alexey Pavolvsky, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation reviewed the economic links between Australia and the Russian Federation, surveying the road ahead for more auspicious trade and investment exchanges between the two countries that have been undermined in recent years by diplomatic tensions. His Excellency lamented the unfortunate campaign of bias and misinformation in some domestic and international circles against the Russian Federation – an economic powerhouse that is willing to smooth over its differences with established and potential commercial partners, while undertaking concrete measures to develop an effective vaccine to facilitate the international economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding this, His Excellency listed Australia among the Russian Federation’s principal trading partners with our nation well-equipped to provide innovative specialised equipment, industry skills training and advanced technology to address the Russian Federation’s infrastructure problems, and proactive collaboration with the Russian Federation’s energy and resources industries to enhance the production levels, operational efficiency and safety practices of that country’s minerals exploration through optimum Australian mining hardware and technological capabilities. As His Excellency likewise observed, both countries are integral members of the G20 (the twenty most industrialised economies in the world) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping, and the East Asian Summit and the Asia Europe Meeting, which presents extensive possibilities to ameliorate trade and investment relations through significant initiatives, including METS missions from Australia linked to Mining World Russia, and special Russian Federation trade and investment delegations to our shores, as well as Austrade education missions to the Russian Federation.

Officially announcing the launch of EKONOMOS, Issue 2, 2020, ABSC Inc. president, Dr Frank Alafaci acknowledged the financial assistance provided by the Gold sponsor, Alliance Project Group, led by its Founding Director and current ABSC Inc. Board member, Mr Rouad El Ayoubi, and two bronze sponsors, Swan Wine Group and the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association (ACFEA), and complimented the high profile article contributors who, including the ABSC Inc. president, comprise H. E. Dr Alexey Pavlovsky (Ambassador of the Russian Federation); H. E. Mr Kristiarto Legowo (Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia); H. E. Mr Korhan Karakoc (Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey).; H. E. Mr Muhammad Ashraf (Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan); H. E. Mr Yasser Abed (Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt); Ms Fiona Fan (Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the de facto Taiwanese Consulate General in Sydney); Mr Damien Coorey (Principal / Director, CRM Brokers Pty Ltd); Mr Piers Morgan (Executive Director, Weringa Group); Ms Kim Samuel (Associate Director, Urban & Regional Planning, Elton Consulting); Mr John Stanton (Chief Executive Officer, Communications Alliance Ltd); Mr Ivan Slavich (Chief Executive Officer, Soldier On); Mr David Laanemaa (Managing Director, Back9 Capital Management Pty Ltd); and Dr Anthony De Francesco (Managing Director, Real Investment Analytics Pty Ltd). Several of these distinguished article contributors attending the Annual Gala Dinner or their representatives were expressly invited to join the ABSC Inc. president on the assembled stage

for the meritorious ceremonial conferral of plaques in gratitude and appreciation for their contribution to the one hundred and thirty-two page second issue of the association’s business affairs magazine.

ABSC Inc. president, Dr Frank Alafaci likewise formally recognised the prominent corporate members, SME members and individual members who have contributed to the organisation during what has been, for obvious reasons, an extraordinarily uneventful year, which includes the most recent corporate recruit, Arc Energy Group, presenting a Certificate of Acknowledgement to Mr Fred Faker, the Founding Director of Arc Energy Group on behalf of this robust, versatile and well-known renewable energy business.

Mirroring the raison d’etre that underpins the Australian Business Summit Council Inc., EKONOMOS, Issue 2, 2020 amounts to a veritable tour de force that covers an extensive gamut of significant issues related to public and private policy making, commerce and entrepreneurialism. Indeed, the second issue of this excellent magazine, like its inaugural edition published in the previous year to celebrate the first anniversary of the association’s registration with NSW Fair Trading, enhances the Australian Business Summit Council Inc.’s presence and credentials in domestic and international business quarters as increasing multilateral trade and investment opportunities for our country’s economic growth. MUSIAD Sydney President Mr Hasan Gencturk (Managing Director of Revive Technologies International and Chairman at MCK Lawyers / Chairman of Asia Pacific Ventures and Chief Executive Officer of Easy Boating international) delivered an ebullient congratulatory address, commending the ABSC Inc.’s remarkable modus operandi to strengthen Australian economic relations with the international community, especially with the Republic of Turkey and the greater Middle East, alongside the New South Wales’ branch of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association through the organisation’s broad connections and networking activities to seek outlets for Middle Eastern commercial ventures within the Australian domestic market.

Enlivening the Annual Gala Dinner, the brilliant Korean tenor from Opera Australia, Mr Simon Kim treated the VIPs, diplomatic officials and guests to memorable renditions of two Italian bel canto classics (O Sole Mio and Non Ti Scordar di Me) and the stupendous performance of the beautiful operatic aria, Nessun Dorma from Puccini’s Turandot, which received prolonged enthusiastic applause. Significant highlights of this talented Korean tenor’s time with Opera Australia also include the roles of Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth, Remendado in Bizet’s Carmen, and Gustavus as well as the Duke in recent productions of Verdi’s Rigoletto and Un Ballo in Maschera. Delightfully, moreover, the Annual Gala Dinner presented the drawing of three lucky draw prizes, featuring five bottles of exquisite wine donated by Swan Wine Group, one of the ABSC Inc.’s Bronze sponsors, and one night free accommodation at the Quest Apartments in Sydney Olympic Park, courtesy of The Waterview in Bicentennial Park, the marvellous venue for this exuberant gathering, ensconced within vast, picturesque landscapes overlooking natural parklands, tranquil ponds and spectacular lake views.

Networking opportunities were plentiful during the Annual Gala Dinner, especially after the conclusion of the event’s formalities. Following an official photo taking session and the distribution of multiple copies of EKONOMOS, Issue 2, 2020 to the VIPs, diplomatic officials and guests, ABSC Inc. president, Dr Frank Alafaci expressed deep gratitude to the association’s Board of Directors for their support and confidence in his leadership, and heartfelt appreciation to the organisation’s members and sympathisers within the business community, as well as to everyone who graced the Annual Gala Dinner with their presence, including Mr John Jeoung (Founder / Chief Executive Officer, Mickle Productions Pty Ltd) – the ABSC Inc.’s professional photographer and video recording specialist; Impact AV Australia which provided the sound system for this unforgettable celebration; and the events management team at The Waterview in Bicentennial Park, particularly Mr Gilbert Khoury, the Associate Director of Sales and Ms Kirsten Gaston, the magnificent reception venue’s Business Event Manager.