February 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,

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2026. Get ready for what promises to be a transformative year for Australia-Latin America relations and for ALABC. Building on the incredible momentum from our sold-out events late last year, including our most successful IMARC yet with delegates from five Latin American countries and the launch of the LatAm Lounge, we are hitting the ground running.

The centrepiece of our year will be the inaugural Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia-Latin America Forum 2026, taking place on 16 June at the iconic Melbourne Town Hall. This flagship one-day event is designed to drive a new era of purposeful engagement between Australia and Latin America at a time of significant geopolitical shifts. By convening influential leaders from both regions in our joint drive to sustainable economic futures, we will unpack emerging opportunities in new supply chain channels, renewable energy, critical and strategic minerals, agtech, advanced manufacturing and innovation, while celebrating our shared First Nations heritage and common goals. It is a rare chance to network at a high level across countries and sectors, as well as providing our members with an opportunity to help set the policy and investment agenda for the decades ahead. Don’t miss out on being part of this unique event!

Leading off our 2026 program, our March calendar is packed with opportunities for engagement:

• 17 March: Sydney Sundowner with a spotlight on Latin American M&A
• 20 March: Webinar on business opportunities in the Dominican Republic
• 20 March: Brisbane Boardroom Luncheon, with guest speaker TIQ Trade Commissioner Alejandro Palma
• 30 March: A tech-focused webinar navigating digital regulations in Peru, Argentina, and Chile.

Another key activity for 2026 will be an ALABC lead delegation to South America, taking place in November. At the end of April, we will be opening expressions of interest to participate in this bespoke delegation, so keep an eye out for the invitation.

Please remember to drop me or Joyce at secretariat@alabc.com.au an email if you would like to make an appointment to see how ALABC can help your business.

The appetite for collaboration between our regions has never been stronger. I look forward to seeing many of you throughout March as we prepare for an exciting year ahead.

Saludos

Kim Prior

Chief Executive Officer
ceo@alabc.com.au

Latitudes of Opportunity Australia - Latin America Forum 2026

A high-level, one-day Forum where senior leaders from Australia and Latin America come to act. Designed to translate global volatility into strategic advantage, the Forum will identify concrete opportunities across critical minerals, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, education and agribusiness, while forging high-value connections that drive trade and investment outcomes.

Venue: Town Hall Melbourne 
Date: 16 June, 2026

ProCibao 2026

A multisector event coordinated jointly with the Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Production, to be held on March 24–25, 2026, at the UTE5A Dominican Convention and Cultural Center, in the city of Santiago.

2026 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program

Brisbane City Council has opened applications for the 2026 Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Business Scholarship Program, offering more than 50 scholarship placements to support Brisbane residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in strengthening their business capability.

This is a valuable opportunity to build practical skills, expand networks, and position your business for long term growth.
Applications close at 11:59pm on Monday, 20 April 2026.

Cultural Diversity Week 2026:

21-29 March

Victoria's largest multicultural celebration. 

Cultural Diversity Week 2026 will take place across Victoria from 21 to 29 March, bringing together communities to celebrate the state’s rich multicultural identity. Home to people who speak 290 languages and represent 314 ancestries, Victoria continues to position diversity as a strategic strength.

HOW TO ACCESS:

1. Be or become an ALABC member and provide your membership to access the discounts.                    
2. Contact one of the agencies that have access to ALABC discounts. If you have a preferable ticketing agent, please share those details with us
3. Enjoy the following benefits.

Adelaide University

Ranked 82 in QS 2026 and 133 in THE, Adelaide University is a Group of Eight institution with 180 plus years of legacy. It advances equity, future focused research and global partnerships, aiming for top tier student experience, employability and worldwide impact.

Gedeth Network

​Gedeth Network is an internationalization firm dedicated to assisting companies in expanding into new markets. Their services encompass developing tailored internationalization plans, organizing trade fairs and business events, arranging agendas and trade missions, providing sales outsourcing, facilitating foreign investment, and conducting in-depth market research through the Gedeth Research Center. With a presence across various regions, including Australia and multiple Latin American countries, Gedeth leverages a robust global network to support clients' international ventures.

Antilles Gold Limited

Antilles Gold Limited is a Cuba-focused ASX-listed resources company. Through its 50:50 joint venture, Minera La Victoria, the company is advancing the Nueva Sabana gold-copper project in central Cuba, as well as the La Demajagua gold, silver, and antimony project on the Isle of Youth, off Cuba’s southern coast.

Henslow

Henslow Oaklins is an indepedent M&A and corporate finance advisory firm with global reach that supports growing companies, entrepreneurs, managers and investors. We have a strong network throughout LATAM and can assist Australian companies on M&A in LATAM, and LATAM companies with respect to M&A and capital in Austalia. Oaklins is 850+ professionals across 40 countries. We have offices in Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Mexico.

Healy Daloia

Healy Daloia Group brings together three specialised divisions: Healy Daloia Legal, Healy Daloia Migration and Healy Daloia Consultancy, delivering integrated legal, migration and advisory services.

The group supports individuals and organisations across employer sponsored, skilled, family, business and investment visas, as well as corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, property, employment and estate planning.

LATAM M&A Update – Sydney Sundowner

A focused briefing on current mergers and acquisitions activity across Latin America.

The session will explore deal trends, sector opportunities, capital flows and the outlook for cross border transactions between Australia and the region. Held alongside the annual Oaklins global conference in Sydney, this event provides a timely opportunity to engage with leading M&A experts and senior business representatives.

Event Details:

 Date: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
 Time: 4:00pm - 6:30pm EADT

Venue: Royal Automobile Club of Australia 

Webinar: Business Opportunities between Australia and the Dominican Republic 

Join us for an exclusive webinar exploring business opportunities between Australia and the Dominican Republic. Delivered in partnership with ProDominicana, this session will provide insights into trade and investment priorities, export capabilities and emerging sectors for bilateral collaboration. Hear directly from government and industry representatives on how Australian businesses can engage with one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic economies.

Event Details:
 Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
 Time: 9:00am - 10:00am EADT

Brisbane Boardroom Luncheon 2026

Join us in Brisbane for the LATAM Ambassador Boardroom Luncheon on 20 March at The Brisbane Club. This exclusive roundtable will bring together senior government and industry leaders to advance Queensland’s trade and investment priorities across Latin America, including resources, energy, agribusiness and innovation. The program features remarks from Alejandro Palma Rioseco, Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Latin America, alongside ALABC leadership and invited dignitaries.

Event Details:

 Date: Friday, 20 March 2026
 Time: 11:45pm - 1:45pm EAST

Venue: Brisbane Club

01 December: Christmas Sundowner Sydney

ALABC closed the year with a vibrant Christmas Sundowner celebrating collaboration and opportunity across our Australia–Latin America network, sponsored by our member Workinitiatives. We were honoured to hear from Andrew Martin, Ambassador of Australia to Chile and Ecuador, and Patricia Terán, Ambassador of Ecuador, who shared insights on emerging priorities across both markets.

Guests enjoyed more than just great company, highlights included a special tasting of Wines from Chile brought to life by Platinum Fine Wine.

A big thank you to our Sydney members and connections who joined us!

02 December: Webinar Uruguay, Doing Business with Confidence

ALABC concluded its 2025 events calendar with the webinar Uruguay: Doing Business with Confidence, highlighting emerging trade and investment opportunities in one of Latin America’s most stable and business-friendly markets. We were pleased to welcome Martín Mercado, Deputy Director of Uruguay XXI, who provided a strategic overview of Uruguay’s investment landscape, priority sectors and market entry pathways.

The session concluded with closing remarks from Pi, reinforcing the strength of bilateral ties and the growing potential for Australia–Uruguay collaboration. As ALABC’s final event for 2025, the webinar set a confident tone for deeper engagement in the year ahead.

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

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• Make valuable connections
• Receive up to date market insights
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• Be supported in your business challenges

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