In recent years ABIE has grown into a truly pan-European Network comprising 19 business associations and chambers of commerce that represent a collective membership base of thousands of individuals and organisations across Australia and Europe.

The Network representatives met to discuss plans for events and advocacy on issues central to the bilateral trade between the two regions. The meeting was timely given that Australia is now back in business with open borders and Australian companies are once again returning to Europe to explore trade and investment opportunities. In addition, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese´s recent visit to Europe secured the kick start needed for the stalled negotiations for the pending Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement.

We were fortunate to be hosted by the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce as part of a delegation of Australian businesses to Ireland. Our visit took us to the South where we had opportunity to dine at Leinster House and meet the Australian Ambassador in Dublin for a very ´Aussie´ BBQ. Then we travelled to the North where we had the honour of meeting the incoming First Minister of Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, at the Parliament Buildings who briefed us on the vision for a confident and outward looking economy. We were also able to spend time in a round table discussion at Stormont Castle with senior members of Northern Ireland's Executive Office in Belfast.

Thank you to the current ABIE co-Chairs for organizing the meeting: Rebecca Steffen of the Australian Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Barry Corr of Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce (IACC). A special thank you to IACC for hosting such a valuable visit with just the right amount of work and Irish ´craic´.