AustCham – Hong Kong and Macau business development
Commonwealth Bank, corporate patron and event sponsor, kicking off the ‘Rugby Sevens’ lunch
The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau (AustCham) was formed in 1987 to facilitate business development and networking opportunities for its members. It now represents the largest Australian business community outside Australia and the second largest international chamber in Hong Kong. This reflects the growing strength of Australian business in greater China.
Over the past 22 years AustCham has grown to include more than 1,100 corporate members and now represents more than 650 Australian and local companies and a community of about 55,000. In 2006, AustCham established the Chamber in the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR), where there are over 2,000 Australians living and working, as well as significant Australian business interests.
Silver medallist Sally McLellan joins Australian Consul General Les Luck and AustCham Board Director Con Korfiatis at an Olympic Launch BBQ
Silver medallist Sally McLellan joins Australian Consul General Les Luck and AustCham Board Director Con Korfiatis at an Olympic Launch BBQ
Diverse membership
AustCham’s members are senior representatives of major Australian companies in Hong Kong and Macau that form a cross-section of local and international businesses and Australian executives in other companies. Members come from a range of major industries, including banking, legal, accounting, IT and financial services, construction and infrastructure, hospitality, tourism, trading and manufacturing. AustCham member companies employ over 200,000 people in Hong Kong, which equates to 6.2% of the workforce.
Dynamic opportunities
The Chamber maintains a full schedule of events that are designed to keep its members informed of developments in their fields of interest and to provide them with opportunities to meet with other business people and to promote their products and services. AustCham also produces a monthly magazine, Austcham News, and an annual directory titled Australian Business in Hong Kong, Macau and South China.
AustCham’s dynamic committee system has more than 150 volunteers who meet monthly to arrange events and industry updates and to discuss relevant issues within their industry or business area. Over 15% of the total membership of the group is actively involved in one of its several committees: Construction, Property and Infrastructure; Financial, Legal and Tax; Human Resources; Media and Marketing; Sustainable Development; Technology; and the AustCham Young Executives Group.
Aust. Community Ball, Macau: Mario & Andrea Natoli (event sponsor, ‘City of Dreams’) join AustCham Chairman Clement Chan & wife Elsa, left
Aust. Community Ball, Macau: Mario & Andrea Natoli (event sponsor, ‘City of Dreams’) join AustCham Chairman Clement Chan & wife Elsa, left
International player
AustCham represents the views and interests of its members to government departments and other organisations in Hong Kong, China and Australia. The Chamber is an active member of the International Business Committee (IBC), which comprises leaders of the major international chambers of commerce and business organisations who meet regularly with the Chief Secretary and other senior Hong Kong Government officials.
AustCham is also a member of InterCham, an informal group of leaders from all 27 international chambers of commerce and business organisations in Hong Kong. The group acts as the Secretariat of the InterCham PRD Committee, which organises the group’s events on a range of topics within the Greater Pearl River Delta.
AustCham instigated and continues to host informal gatherings of the heads of the Sustainable Development or Environmental Committees from these international Chambers. Its purpose is to provide support and information to IBC members on these issues and to support the Hong Kong Government in its efforts to improve pollution outcomes in the Delta.
The Chamber is also an active member of the Support Australia Group, which exists under the auspices of the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong, meets regularly on a bi-monthly basis and comprises eleven Hong Kong based Australian organisations.
Australia-China Business Awards winners: excellence, entrepreneurial skill and innovation for sustainable development
Australia-China Business Awards winners: excellence, entrepreneurial skill and innovation for sustainable development
Awarding Australian
business AustCham also organises the Australia- China Business Awards Program for greater China. The program aims to promote, recognise and reward Australian companies and local companies supporting Australian goods or services that have shown excellence, entrepreneurial skill and innovation, and have engaged in sustainable development practices in greater China. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the awards program.
Email: austcham@austcham.com.hk
Website: www.austcham.com.hk
