MAY/JUNE 2026 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE 

• Letter from the CEO
• Industry News - A combination of news articles specifically curated for news relevant to the Latin American region. 
• New Members - Get in contact with our new member companies to create new business opportunities. 
  
• Upcoming Events - See what's upcoming in your city 
• Past Events - View event photos, hear about the latest activities and initiatives 
• Featured Members - Find out which companies are being featured this month

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

Dear Members, friends and associates of ALABC,

It has been an immensely rewarding few months at ALABC.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and thank our outgoing board members, Julio Gonzalez (VIC), Rob Whiddon (QLD) and our Board Chair, Richard Andrews (NSW). Our organisation has been enriched by their service and dedication, especially through their participation on various committees and working groups. In particular, I would like to mention Julio’s participation on the IMARC Working Group, Rob’s role as Vice Chair Queensland and Governance Committee member and Richard’s long-standing service as Chair. I would also like to congratulate and welcome our new board members Lina Gillespie, Kurt Benavides and Sebastian Toro. Finally it is my very great please to introduce you to our first female ALABC Chair, Julie Boden and Deputy Chair Trevor Woolfe. We are fortunate to have a wide range of expertise across our board bringing a rich variety of experiences that can only benefit our organisation.

On the 16th June, ALABC supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Council on Australia Latin American Relations launched the first iteration of the Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia – Latin America Forum. The idea for the Latitudes Forum was developed from a need to bring government, business, academia and the broader community together to openly examine the existing multilateral relationship, where collaboration opportunities lie, and what needs to be done to strengthen the relationship and remove obstacles so that Australia and Latin American become pivotal players in the Global South. Three key themes centred the program: Latitudes of Collaboration focusing on geopolitics and economic changes shaping our shared experience, Latitudes of Energy delving into collaboration opportunities across critical minerals and the transition to net zero and Latitudes of Growth, spotlighting nature positive investment, agribusiness and agritech, innovation and our combined human capital. For members who missed the Forum there is an audio recording available now and a report that will be published at the end of July. On the back of the Forum’s success ALABC hopes to take the second instalment of the Forum to a city in Latin America. What this space!

The second half of the year will be packed with activities – board room luncheons, the Melbourne Gala Dinner and Business Awards, the Brisbane Gala Dinner and UQ Colloquium, the Latin American Gala and a suite of networking and business activities at IMARC to mention just a few activities. ALABC is also looking to partner with new like-minded organisations to augment the offerings and services available to our members.

We are always here to support our members, so please contact me or the Secretariat to make a time to chat about how we can help.

Kim Prior

Chief Executive Officer
ceo@alabc.com.au

A Message from the Outgoing Chairman, 

Every meaningful journey deserves a moment of reflection, and as my term as Chairman draws to a close, I am grateful for the chance to look back on all that ALABC has meant to me.

It began in 2003. I was travelling through Latin America as CEO of Cutting Edges,  our company manufacturing parts for construction and mining equipment, when the Australian Trade Commissioner offered a piece of advice that would shape the next two decades of my career: "If you are doing business in Latin America, you should become a member of ALABC." I listened. That single decision opened the door to years of service on the board and, in 2018, the honour of being appointed Chairman.

ALABC is the leading organisation connecting companies that do business between Australia and Latin America and it has an extraordinary ability to open doors. For any business looking to engage with the region, and for partners across Latin America looking towards Australia, ALABC is the natural first point of contact, the bridge that turns unfamiliar markets into genuine, lasting partnerships.

Travelling throughout Latin America and walking the floors of its mining and industrial operations, I saw something that numbers alone can't capture, and that is how much our cultures share. Mutual respect, friendship and trust are not after thoughts across the region, they are the foundation. They make it possible to do business openly and professionally, among operations that are world class, powered by state of the art processes and equipment, and rich with opportunity for companies bold enough to bring foresight and shared values to the table.

For my colleagues and me, ALABC membership stripped away the anxiety that so often shadows a new market. There was always someone to call, someone with firsthand experience, ready to help. That reassurance proved invaluable, in business and in life.

What began as exporting soon became something far more ambitious. We partnered with a local company, established a manufacturing facility in the region, employed locally, and served our customers more effectively than ever before. As direct flights to Latin America opened up, the region moved closer still, every trip faster and more productive.

As Chairman, I set out with a clear ambition: to strengthen ALABC's position as the peak industry body for business engagement between Australia and Latin America, and to raise the region's profile with Federal and State governments alike. I am proud of how far we have come. Our membership has grown, championed by Ministers and Government representatives whose commitment brings real energy to our events and programs. Through our valued partnerships with DFAT and COALAR, we have launched new initiatives such as the Latam Lounge at IMARC, and most recently, the Latitudes of Opportunity forum. These achievements belong to all of us, and they would not have been possible without the generosity and vision of the government departments who have walked alongside us.

I want to pay particular tribute to the Ambassadors, both past and present, whose partnership has been at the very heart of ALABC's success. Our Ambassador Series lunches, introduced during my tenure, have flourished, giving members the rare privilege of meeting Ambassadors and business leaders in an intimate, relaxed setting. Time and again, these remarkable representatives have opened doors, built bridges and championed the relationship between our regions with warmth and dedication. Today, visiting government representatives call on ALABC to connect them with business, a clear signal of the trust and standing we have earned together across Latin America.

I have no doubt that ALABC's best chapters are still to come. The relationships we have built between members, between businesses, and between our two regions are the foundation on which that future will be written. To everyone who has been part of this journey, your engagement is what makes ALABC extraordinary, and the opportunities ahead have never been richer.

Serving as Chairman has been one of the great honours of my career. I thank my fellow board members for their unwavering support and commitment over the past eight years. My deepest gratitude also goes to DFAT and COALAR, and to the Ambassadors, Chargés d'Affaires and Consuls General, past and present, who have given so generously of their time, wisdom and support to ALABC and its members. It is my sincere hope to continue these treasured relationships for many years to come.

Finally, I congratulate Kim Prior on her outstanding leadership as CEO, and Julie Boden on succeeding me as Chair. Both are exceptional leaders, and I look forward to supporting them in my new role as Chair Emeritus.

It has been the privilege of a lifetime.

Richard Andrews

ALABC Chair Emeritus

Eco Invest Brasil: 5th Auction Open for Sustainable Investment

Brazil's National Treasury has launched the 5th round of the Eco Invest Brasil program, part of the Novo Brasil initiative, offering blended finance instruments designed to attract foreign capital into long-term sustainable projects. The program targets six strategic sectors including green fertilisers, advanced biofuels, battery systems and critical minerals processing, green chemistry, industrial AI, and circular waste management. Public contributions may reach BRL 2.5 billion, with a leverage requirement expected to mobilise significantly larger volumes of private capital. Australian financial institutions and research partners are encouraged to explore participation opportunities.

AI and the Future of Work: Webinar

Curious about how AI and human collaboration can drive real competitive advantage? Join this practical webinar on Thursday, 16 July 2026 (12:30–1:15pm AEST) exploring what organisations are prioritising as they navigate the AI shift. Topics include human-centred job design, contemporary leadership, and how tools like AI-assisted accounting, payroll, and data analytics are improving governance and decision-making. Suitable for business owners, HR professionals, and organisational leaders looking to future-proof their workforce.

CAF Launches Fund for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Venezuela

CAF has established a new mechanism to channel contributions from governments, international organisations, companies and individuals toward Venezuela's recovery priorities. Designed for rapid, coordinated and transparent deployment, the Fund pools resources under a common accountability framework, financing initiatives prioritised by the Government of Venezuela.

Support spans three phases: immediate humanitarian response, rehabilitation of essential services (health, water, energy, education), and longer-term recovery and resilience building, with interventions defined progressively based on damage assessments.

Paydirt Magazine: Exclusive Member Offer

Under the Southern Cross 

Under the Southern Cross (Rezet Global) is a sustainable manufacturing company transforming industrial and agricultural waste into premium fashion accessories and corporate gifts. With a proven track record in Latin America, including over 235,500kg recycled and 179,000 products sold to brands such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, the company is now establishing its "Gold Coast Made" operations in Queensland. Its pollution-free process creates local employment while delivering full traceability and environmental impact reporting for partner organisations.

Fourthane

Founded in Chile in 1995, Fourthane is a specialist in conveyor belt maintenance, concentrator plant protection, and SAG Mill repair, with operations across more than 22 countries. Its flagship product, Fourthane Red, has become an industry benchmark in mining and industrial markets worldwide. Recognised with Chile's AVONNI Award for best industrial innovation and acknowledged by ProChile as a leading innovative venture, Fourthane brings a strong track record of maximising equipment availability and operational performance to the Australian market.

KONTERRA was created to design immersive journeys across Peru and Latin America that go beyond traditional tourism.
Blending deep local knowledge, cultural connection, and thoughtful exploration, KONTERRA crafts thoughtfully curated and carefully designed experiences that connect travellers with the landscapes, people, and stories that make each destination unique, creating journeys that are both meaningful and unforgettable.

Konterra also can organize Corporate and Trade Missions to Peru and connect through existing networks with stakeholders in key industries.

National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX)

The National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX) is Australia's second largest stock exchange and an Australian Market Licence holder, specialising in listing growth companies with a combined market capitalisation exceeding $2.4 billion. NSX offers the country's most flexible range of listing options across all market sectors, with a streamlined process designed for speed and affordability. For companies seeking capital growth, investor exit solutions, succession planning, or cross-border dual listings, NSX provides a compelling and cost-effective alternative.

Schlam

Schlam Payload is a leading global supplier of mining truck beds and excavator buckets that make load and haul equipment more productive. The large-capacity, long-life, and lightweight Hercules Mining Truck Beds and Barracuda Loading Attachments are customised to increase mine productivity, reduce equipment downtime and carbon emissions, and minimise maintenance. There are now almost 3,000 Hercules truck beds in operation on over 100 sites around the world, mining commodities including iron ore, coal, copper, gold, silver, zinc, bauxite, and lithium.

ALABC Brisbane Dinner 2026

Join us for the ALABC Brisbane Annual Dinner, bringing together business leaders, senior government representatives, diplomats and academics for an evening of high-level networking and dialogue on the Australia–Latin America relationship. Whether representing a large corporation or a growing small business, this is a valuable opportunity to build partnerships and profile your organisation within Queensland's international business community. Seats are limited.

Event Details:

Boardroom Luncheon with the Ambassador of Panamá

ALABC is hosting a private boardroom luncheon dedicated to Australia–Panama relations. H.E. Rogelio Cucalón García, Ambassador of Panama, will join as Guest of Honour, offering members a direct line into the trade and investment outlook between our two countries.

Spaces are limited, register early to secure your seat.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, 12 August2026
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm EAST
Venue:Royal Automobile Club of Australia, Sydney, NSW 2000

28 May, European Aussie Drinks - Special Latin America Edition, Sydney

ALABC was proud to partner with European Aussie Drinks for a standout evening in Sydney, marking the event's first ever Latin America edition and its first partnership beyond the European community. Held at Cabana Bar, the night brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, diplomats, and community leaders in what organisers described as one of the most vibrant atmospheres since the series launched in 2017. The collaboration underscored the growing appetite for Australia–Europe–Latin America dialogue, and ALABC looks forward to supporting future editions.

12 May, Webinar:Energy, Investment and Development: Opportunities from the Energy Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean

05, June, Mexico - Where Opportunity meets prosperity - Conference Room, Sydney

16 June, Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia - Latin America Forum 2026

ALABC and COALAR hosted the Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia–Latin America Forum 2026 at Melbourne Town Hall, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and a coalition of sponsors and partners. The full-day forum brought together ministers, ambassadors, CEOs, investors, and universities from Australia and 13 Latin American nations across three sessions: Latitudes of Collaboration, Latitudes of Energy, and Latitudes of Growth. A recurring theme throughout the day was the depth of shared history and untapped potential between both regions, spanning trade, investment, research, education, and diaspora. The day concluded with a cultural program and networking reception.

Please view the information below and consider joining the Australia-Latin America Business Council using the online form. 

Benefits of Membership

• Generate new opportunities
• Make valuable connections
• Receive up to date market insights
• Gain access to experts
• Be supported in your business challenges

How to join: Please review our fees and benefits below and then submit your application here. 

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