Key Takeaways
- ASBC/F President Mr. Sam Jamsheedi and Council Ambassador the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon visited Canberra to meet senior Federal cabinet ministers.
- Meetings were held with ministers across trade, agriculture, industry, science and foreign affairs portfolios.
- Discussions focused on strengthening the Australia–Saudi Arabia bilateral relationship.
- Trade, investment and strategic economic cooperation were identified as key areas of opportunity.
- ASBC/F remains committed to ensuring the business community plays an active role in the partnership.
The Australian Saudi Business Council & Forum (ASBC/F) has concluded a productive visit to Canberra, led by Council President Mr. Sam Jamsheedi alongside Council Ambassador Adjunct Professor the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon GradCertBA, GAICD.
The visit brought the Council’s leadership together with senior members of the Federal Government to advocate for the continued strengthening of the bilateral relationship between Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
High-Level Meetings Across Key Portfolios
During the visit, the ASBC/F delegation met with Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State; the Hon. Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Senator the Hon. Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science; and the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Assistant Minister for Immigration.
The range of portfolios represented reflects how broad the Australia–Saudi relationship has become, extending across trade, agriculture, industry, innovation and science.
Advocating for a Stronger Bilateral Relationship
The meetings focused on the continued strengthening of the Australia–Saudi Arabia relationship.
Mr. Jamsheedi and Mr. Fitzgibbon emphasised the significant opportunities ahead for both countries across trade, investment and strategic economic cooperation, as engagement between the two nations continues to grow.
Business at the Heart of the Partnership
ASBC/F remains committed to maintaining strong engagement with the Australian Government.
The Council will continue to ensure that the business community plays an active role in advancing a practical, long-term economic partnership between Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Looking Ahead
The Canberra visit forms part of the Council’s ongoing engagement with government on both sides of the relationship.
ASBC/F will continue working with ministers, officials and industry to translate shared priorities into tangible opportunities for Australian and Saudi businesses.
