European Australian Business Council

The European Australian Business Council (EABC) is one of the premier and most effective corporate forums in Australia. The EABC enables business leaders to engage in high-level dialogue on economic and public policy issues with Australian and European political leaders, senior officials, diplomats and business delegations. The European Union is Australia’s second largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment. It is the world’s largest single market with a population of more than 500 million people. In 2016, EU Foreign direct investment in Australia totalled $164.8 billion – approximately 20.7% of total foreign direct investment – while total two-way investment is now valued at $1.7 trillion. 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 a comprehensive Australia-EU free trade agreement. 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 as the political and administrative capital of the European Union, and to other political and commercial capitals in Europe.