17 November 2011
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed up as principal corporate partner of the not-for-profit Australia Gulf Council (AGC).
The two organisations announced the new partnership at the AGC Inaugural Annual Dinner held at Parliament House in Canberra.
AGC Chief Executive the Hon. Michael Yabsley made the announcement before 65 VIP guests who included special guest of honour and Minister for Trade, the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP; Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP; Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, the Hon. Justine Elliot MP; and former Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Minister for Defence, the Hon. Robert Hill.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer said: "As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, we take seriously our responsibility for fostering closer relations between Australia and the UAE.
"The establishment of a formal partnership with the Australia Gulf Council is a significant milestone in achieving this goal.
"We hope it will herald a new and exciting era of collaboration and increase opportunities for deeper diplomatic, business and cultural exchange."
Michael Yabsley said: "The AGC Etihad Corporate Partnership is a great outcome and we look forward to seeing it develop in a way that will add real value for both Etihad Airways and the AGC.
"James Hogan's leadership and vision have ensured the beginning of a prosperous partnership between our two organisations.
"Partnerships such as these create friends and business opportunities and, in the words of Minister Emerson: 'we do business where we have friends'."
The airline will support the AGC's missions to and from the Middle East, and help to build trade, economic and cultural ties between Australia and the GCC community. Former Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke, the Hon. Mark Vaile, and Michael Yabsley will lead a group of 15 AGC members on such a mission to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat in December 2011.
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About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2010 carried more than seven million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 63 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. www.etihad.com
About Australia Gulf Council
The Australia Gulf Council (AGC) is a not-for-profit company established in 2010. It brings together corporate, political and diplomatic representatives at the highest level to facilitate the two-way flow of capital along with greater levels of political, economic and cultural understanding. The organisation works closely with embassies and other officials to provide the link between government and business. www.australiagulfcouncil.com
For more information, please contact:
Stephen Mahoney
Senior Manager Corporate Communications - Australia and Asia Etihad Airways
Email: smahoney@etihad.ae
Tel: +61 488 125 538
Georgie Skipper
Government and Corporate Affairs Manager Australia Gulf Council
Email: gskipper@australiagulfcouncil.com
Tel: +61 2 8248 2802
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed up as principal corporate partner of the not-for-profit Australia Gulf Council (AGC).
The two organisations announced the new partnership at the AGC Inaugural Annual Dinner held at Parliament House in Canberra.
AGC Chief Executive the Hon. Michael Yabsley made the announcement before 65 VIP guests who included special guest of honour and Minister for Trade, the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP; Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP; Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, the Hon. Justine Elliot MP; and former Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Minister for Defence, the Hon. Robert Hill.
James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer said: "As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, we take seriously our responsibility for fostering closer relations between Australia and the UAE.
"The establishment of a formal partnership with the Australia Gulf Council is a significant milestone in achieving this goal.
"We hope it will herald a new and exciting era of collaboration and increase opportunities for deeper diplomatic, business and cultural exchange."
Michael Yabsley said: "The AGC Etihad Corporate Partnership is a great outcome and we look forward to seeing it develop in a way that will add real value for both Etihad Airways and the AGC.
"James Hogan's leadership and vision have ensured the beginning of a prosperous partnership between our two organisations.
"Partnerships such as these create friends and business opportunities and, in the words of Minister Emerson: 'we do business where we have friends'."
The airline will support the AGC's missions to and from the Middle East, and help to build trade, economic and cultural ties between Australia and the GCC community. Former Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke, the Hon. Mark Vaile, and Michael Yabsley will lead a group of 15 AGC members on such a mission to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat in December 2011.
- Ends -
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, began operations in 2003, and in 2010 carried more than seven million passengers. From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad Airways serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America, with a fleet of 63 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and 100 aircraft on order including 10 Airbus A380s, the world's largest passenger aircraft. www.etihad.com
About Australia Gulf Council
The Australia Gulf Council (AGC) is a not-for-profit company established in 2010. It brings together corporate, political and diplomatic representatives at the highest level to facilitate the two-way flow of capital along with greater levels of political, economic and cultural understanding. The organisation works closely with embassies and other officials to provide the link between government and business. www.australiagulfcouncil.com
For more information, please contact:
Stephen Mahoney
Senior Manager Corporate Communications - Australia and Asia Etihad Airways
Email: smahoney@etihad.ae
Tel: +61 488 125 538
Georgie Skipper
Government and Corporate Affairs Manager Australia Gulf Council
Email: gskipper@australiagulfcouncil.com
Tel: +61 2 8248 2802
© Press Release 2011
