The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. hosted its annual Media Conference and Dinner at Aqua Luna Waterfront Dining, Drummoyne, New South Wales on 20th February 2025 to promote the forthcoming publication of the sixth issue of EKONOMOS, the Council’s business affairs magazine.
One hundred and twenty VIPs and guests attended this significant event, including H.E. Mr. Hani Nagi (Ambassador of Egypt); H.E. Dr. Siswo Pramono (Ambassador of Indonesia); Dr. Joseph Rizk AM (CEO / Managing Director, Arab Bank Australia Ltd.); and the Consuls General of Italy, Poland, New Zealand, and Indonesia, with senior diplomats from the Consulates General of Turkey, the Slovak Republic and the United States, and business leaders, academics, legal practitioners and representative members of the multicultural press to celebrate the notable expansion and influence of one of Australia’s leading business management consultant forums.
ABSC Inc. president for the sixth consecutive year, Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD welcomed the first-rate audience with an overview of the Council, established on 20th December 2018 as an incorporated, not-for-profit association that serves to promote sound policies and practices which enable business people to pursue strong opportunities in Australia and abroad, as well as encouraging robust debates and discussions on substantial issues relating to business relationships between Australia and the international community, and publishing an annual business affairs magazine, EKONOMOS for both the general and specialised reading public, featuring well-written and informative articles about business, trade and investment from distinguished leaders in economics, politics, and diplomacy within the Australian and international communities.
EKONOMOS, Issue 6, 2025 will consist of twenty-four article contributions, led by the ABSC Inc. president Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD, featuring H.E. Dr. Siswo Pramono (Ambassador of Indonesia); H.E. Mr. Sinchai Manivanh (Ambassador of Laos); H.E. Mr. Hani Nagi (Ambassador of Egypt); H.E. Mr. Beka Dvali (Ambassador of Georgia); H.E. Mr. Vitaliano Gallardo Valencia (Ambassador of Peru); H.E. Mrs. Tanieris Dieguez La O (Ambassador of Cuba); H.E. Dr. Wilson Togo (High Commissioner of Kenya); H.E. Dr. Elias Munshya (High Commissioner of Zambia); H.E. Dr. Md. Shariah Firoz Dewan (Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh); Mr. Qamar Zaman (Consul General of Pakistan); Mr. David Wu (Director General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office); Ms. Indiana Trejos Gallo (Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade / President of the National Trade Facilitation Council of Costa Rica); Ms. Simona Bernardini (Director, Italian Trade Agency); Mr. Joe Screnci (Executive Chairman, Hoffman Reed Pty. Ltd.); Mr. Brian Young  (CEO, AES Environmental Pty. Ltd.); Mr. Richard Yuan (Chairman, Australia China Entrepreneurs Club); Mr. Bob Croft (Director, EZMarketing Pty. Ltd.); Ms. Nerva Kay Ghamraoui (Managing Director, Katalyst Construction Pty. Ltd.); Mr. Mamun Haque (Managing Director, Greenleaf Cosmetics Pty. Ltd.); Dr. Anthony De Francesco (Managing Director, Real investment Analytics Pty. Ltd.); Assoc. Professor Art Phillips (Founder / Director, 101 Music Pty. Ltd.); Professor Hans Hendrischke (School of Business, University of Sydney); and Mr. Michael Short (Partner, Madison Marcus), Mr. Eric Boone (Partner, Madison Marcus) and Mr. Ramy Qutami (Managing Director, Madison Marcus) as joint article contributors.
Highlighting the Media Conference and Dinner, the official program for the evening comprised keynote speeches by H.E. Mr. Hani Nagi (Ambassador of Egypt) who stressed the alignment between Egypt and Australia in key sectors, such as mining, infrastructure, clean energy, technology and education; whilst Dr. Joseph Rizk AM (CEO / Managing Director, Arab Bank Australia Ltd.) shared valuable insights on effective leadership strategies for organisations during challenging times; and H.E. Dr. Siswo Pramono (Ambassador of Indonesia), addressed the primary role of continuous trade in tackling the global issue of the shrinking middle-income class; followed by an interactive one-hour Question and Answer session on business, trade and investment moderated by the ABSC Inc. President, Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD between the function’s eminent speakers and members of the audience.
ABSC Inc. president, Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD concluded the Media Conference and Dinner with his formal acknowledgement of the Council’s sponsors: Alliance Project Group; Trade Window and Drs. ABCD First Aid Training; plus DMG Fine Wines for kindly providing a selection of high-quality wine bottles as gifts for the keynote speakers and diplomatic officials who attended the occasion; and the Council’s Board of Directors: Mr. Rouad El Ayoubi (vice president); Mr. Mark Malak (treasurer); Mr. Vikas Rawat; Mr. John Caputo; Mrs. Mas Meuross (Councillor of the City of Canada Bay); and especially Mrs. Sylvia Alafaci (ABSC Inc. secretary / Councillor of the City of Canada Bay) for her tireless dedication to meticulously organising the formalities, selecting the five-star reception centre, preparing the table arrangements and beautiful floral decorations, and expertly liaising with the Aqua Luna Waterfront Dining events management team led by Ms. Anna Finini to whom the Australian Business Summit Council Inc. owes an immense debt of gratitude for their kindness, patience and professionalism.
