European Australian Business Council

The European Australian Business Council (EABC) is the premier corporate forum for promoting the trade and investment relationship between Australia and Europe, with Europe as a whole representing Australia's most significant economic partner overall and an expanding market of over 500 million consumers for Australian services exports and investment. The Council provides an effective forum for private and public sector leaders to engage in high-level discussion on economic and public policy issues affecting the bilateral business relationship, and joint co-operation on a range of mutual interests. As an independent, private sector-led initiative, the Council also works with Australian and European governments, diplomatic missions and trade agencies, international organisations, as well as bilateral chambers and other peak business associations. Since the EABC's establishment in 1999, our Members have contributed greatly towards forging stronger business and institutional links between the European Union and Australia, working in close partnership with the official agencies of the European Commission and the Australian Government, and other peak business organisations. The Council has long-championed a more ambitious economic framework for the bilateral relationship through the negotiation of comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, and now also with the United Kingdom following its departure from the EU. As part of its annual programme, the EABC organises each year a Business Mission to Europe, as an initiative to strengthen bilateral relationships with European leaders, institutions, officials, peak business groups and policy organisations. The missions travel to Brussels and London as the political and administrative capitals of the EU and the UK, and to other political and commercial capitals in Europe.