March 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,

As we navigate the shifting sands of global geopolitics, most notably the evolving complexities currently unfolding across the Middle East, the resultant supply chain disruption and economic shocks, the value of "the trusted partner" has never been higher. In this climate of uncertainty, looking toward our long-standing allies in Latin America isn't just a short term solution; it’s a strategic necessity for stable, long-term growth opportunities.

To better support this connection and ensure member satisfaction, ALABC is evolving. For the first time in several years, we are refreshing our membership structure to include a dedicated Individual category, a Small Business tier, a revised employee limit for Corporate memberships and an ALABC Corporate Champion category. These changes bring us into alignment with our peer organizations while remaining mindful of the economic pressures being felt country-wide. This ensures ALABC’s financial health, allowing us to maintain the high-quality experience and the level of advocacy and benefits our members expect. These changes will commence on the 1st of May with more information to be emailed to members and published on the ALABC website.

We have an exciting few months ahead! Amongst other activities, please join us for our Cocktail Event From Western Australia to Latin America: Opportunities in Natural Resources in Perth on May 4th, and don’t miss our flagship Latitudes of Opportunity Forum on June 16th. Please check your email for our special ALABC member code to receive your discounted ticket price. You can read more about the Forum in the article following, contact one of the ALABC team if you would like more information or have a sponsorship enquiry.

Finally, your voice is essential to our governance. We will be sending out Board nomination forms shortly, and please note that our AGM will take place on May 26th.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kim Prior

Chief Executive Officer
ceo@alabc.com.au

The Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia–Latin America Forum 2026, hosted by the Australia-Latin America Business Council with support from Council on Australia Latin America Relations, will bring together leaders from business, government and academia to strengthen trade and investment links between the regions.

Taking place in Melbourne, the forum will focus on key opportunities across critical minerals, energy transition and innovation. With Latin America representing a US$7.3 trillion economy, the event highlights the growing strategic importance of the Australia–Latin America partnership.

The Women Deliver 2026 Conference (WD2026) will be hosted in Victoria on behalf of the Oceanic Pacific region.

Women Deliver is one of the largest gender equality conferences in the world. It will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Narrm (Melbourne) from 27 to 30 April 2026.

Paydirt Battery Minerals Conference

The future of the critical minerals sector has never been more contested with the industry exposed to price swings, geopolitical strains and sudden disruptions. Paydirt’s Critical Battery Minerals Conference is the premier forum for stakeholders from every link in this complicated supply chain to discuss the

Join on 21-22 April 2026 for Australia’s only event dedicated to the development of the critical minerals industry future of the space.

Modern Slavery Statements: Don’t miss your reporting window

Modern slavery compliance is no longer just for large corporations; it is fast becoming a standard expectation across organisations.Understand why Australian regulators, customers and investors increasingly expect businesses of all sizes to demonstrate how they identify and manage modern slavery risks in our latest article.

Pacific Alliance Update | January–March 2026

The latest Pacific Alliance newsletter highlights Mexico’s assumption of the pro tempore presidency, reinforcing its commitment to deeper regional integration and coordinated responses to economic, trade and environmental challenges across Latin America.

The update also features the release of the Pacific Alliance Tourism Investor’s Guide 2026, aimed at strengthening investment attraction and supporting the sustainable development of tourism across member countries.

Melbana Energy Limited

Melbana Energy is an Australian ASX listed, independent oil and gas company that has a portfolio of attractive exploration, appraisal and development stage opportunities in Cuba and Australia.

Melbana Energy is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX: MAY) and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with a representative office in Havana, Cuba.

Fourthane Australia

CP Communications

CP Communications is led by Clinton Porteous, a former journalist specialising in strategic communications. Fluent in Spanish and based in Chile, CP Communications provides tailored communications support to Australian companies seeking to build partnerships and expand into Latin American markets.

Clinton previously worked in Chile as a correspondent for both the ABC and the BBC.

Costa Sol Premier Tennis & Pickleball

Costa Sol Premier Tennis & Pickleball is an Australian–Argentinian family-owned business operating since 2011. Based on the Sunshine Coast, it delivers unique tours to Argentina combining racquet sports with food, wine and cultural experiences, alongside a full range of tennis and pickleball services in Australia.

Costa del Sol supports industries across both countries while fostering employment opportunities and strengthening cross border partnerships

From Western Australia to Latin America: Opportunities in Natural Resources, Perth 

Join us on Monday, 4 May in Perth for an exclusive cocktail reception that will bring together business leaders, Latin American Heads of Mission, ALABC Directors, and key stakeholders to explore emerging opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance cross-regional collaboration.

With sincere thanks to our sponsor, Clifford Chance, this event provides a valuable platform to engage with decision-makers shaping the future of natural resources across both regions.

Event Details:
Date: Monday, 4 May 2026               Time: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm AWST.     Venue: Ground Floor, 235 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000

A one-day forum designed to advance bilateral engagement in a period of profound geopolitical change. Leveraging our shared history, the Forum brings together senior leaders from government, institutions and industry to examine emerging opportunities, address shared challenges, and align on policy and investment priorities that support sustainable economic growth.

Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne

If you are an ALABC member, please reach out to secretariat@alabc.com.au to receive your member discount code when registering.

In partnership with Henslow – Oaklins, ALABC hosted a Sydney sundowner at the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, bringing together senior executives, advisors, investors and diplomats for a focused discussion on cross border M&A trends in Latin America.

Insights from Oaklins’ global and regional leaders highlighted strong momentum across key sectors including energy, mining, infrastructure and technology, with continued international capital targeting strategic opportunities across the region. We thank Oaklins, our speakers and distinguished diplomatic representatives for their valuable contributions to an engaging and high calibre discussion.

ALABC, in partnership with ProDominicana, delivered a webinar highlighting trade and investment opportunities between Australia and the Dominican Republic.

We thank H.E. Rachel Moseley for her insights on the evolving bilateral relationship, and Biviana Riveiro for her overview of the country’s investment landscape and key sectors. We also acknowledge Justo Robles for his contribution to the discussion. The session reinforced the Dominican Republic’s position as a dynamic partner for Australian business.

20 March, Brisbane Boardroom Luncheon 2026

ALABC hosted senior executives at the Brisbane Boardroom Luncheon on 20 March 2026 at the Brisbane Club. We were honoured to hear from Jon Krause MP, Anna Fedeles, Alejandro Palma Riosecco and Dr Alejandro Rivera Becerra, who shared valuable perspectives across government and industry.

We thank our sponsor, Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), for their continued support, and all members and partners who contributed to a highly engaged and productive discussion.

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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