Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed up as principal corporate partner of the not-for-profit Australia Gulf Council (AGC).

The two organisations announced the new partnership at the AGC Inaugural Annual Dinner held at Parliament House in Canberra.

AGC Chief Executive the Hon. Michael Yabsley made the announcement before 65 VIP guests who included special guest of honour and Minister for Trade, the Hon. Dr Craig Emerson MP; Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon. Julie Bishop MP; Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, the Hon. Justine Elliot MP; and former Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Minister for Defence, the Hon. Robert Hill.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ Chief Executive Officer said: “As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, we take seriously our responsibility for fostering closer relations between Australia and the UAE.

“The establishment of a formal partnership with the Australia Gulf Council is a significant milestone in achieving this goal.

“We hope it will herald a new and exciting era of collaboration and increase opportunities for deeper diplomatic, business and cultural exchange.”

Michael Yabsley said: “The AGC Etihad Corporate Partnership is a great outcome and we look forward to seeing it develop in a way that will add real value for both Etihad Airways and the AGC.

“James Hogan’s leadership and vision have ensured the beginning of a prosperous partnership between our two organisations.

“Partnerships such as these create friends and business opportunities and, in the words of Minister Emerson: ‘we do business where we have friends’.”

The airline will support the AGC’s missions to and from the Middle East, and help to build trade, economic and cultural ties between Australia and the GCC community. Former Prime Minister the Hon. Bob Hawke, the Hon. Mark Vaile, and Michael Yabsley will lead a group of 15 AGC members on such a mission to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Muscat in December 2011.
 

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