Sada-e-Watan Sydney
sadaewatan@gmail.com
Connect
& Cheers 3 Builds New Bridges Between Business and Diplomacy
Dr. Frank Alafaci (President
ABSC)
Australian Business Summit Council Inc hosted a unique wonderful
event in Sydney
Diplomats,
business leaders, government representatives, chamber executives and community
leaders gathered at L’Aqua Rooftop Terrace at
Sydney’s Cockle Bay Wharf on 30 July 2026 for Connect & Cheers 3. An
Evening of Business and Diplomacy.
Hosted
by the Australian Business Summit Council Inc., the event marked the third
instalment of the organisation’s growing Connect & Cheers series that was
created to provide an elegant yet relaxed environment where representatives
from different countries, industries and institutions could meet, exchange
ideas and establish meaningful professional relationships.
Addressing
120 VIPs and other guests, ABSC Inc. President Dr. Frank Alafaci PhD stated
that the continuing success of the series demonstrated the need for
opportunities where business and diplomacy could come together outside
traditional conferences, official meetings and formal programs. Informal
conversations could often become the beginning of significant business
relationships, international partnerships, trade opportunities and enduring
friendships.
Connect
and Cheers 3 attracted an eminent diplomatic delegation, featuring consuls
general and other consular representatives from Croatia, Italy, Egypt, Türkiye,
Malta, Romania, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, the Philippines, Bangladesh,
Namibia, Japan, the United States, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Hungary, Malaysia,
Greece, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, El Salvador and the Slovak Republic.
Councillor Sylvia Alafaci and ABSC
Inc. President Dr. Frank Alafaci
Senior business, government and community
representatives also attended, including Chief Inspector Bradley Johnston of
the NSW Police Force; Mr. Larry Kestelman, Executive Chairman of the LK Group;
Mr. John Jiang and Mr. David Zhang of the Australian Dongbei
Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Ju Bek Hyung of the Korean Society of Sydney;
Mr. Richard Boateng of the Australian Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry; Ms. Ubah Gabris of the Somali
Council of NSW; Mr. Michael Azzi of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce; City of
Canada Bay Councillor Mas Meuross; and City of Canada Bay Councillor and
Australian Business Summit Council Inc. Secretary Sylvia Alafaci.
Dr. Alafaci noted that the diversity of those
present reflected the growing importance of constructive international
engagement and the increasing role of the Australian Business Summit Council
Inc. in connecting people across countries, industries and communities.
The central message of the evening was that
successful networking must extend beyond exchanging business cards or adding
new contacts on social media. Genuine professional relationships require
curiosity, listening, trust, generosity and a willingness to explore what
people and organisations can achieve together.
The range of participants created numerous
possibilities for cooperation. A diplomatic representative could meet an
Australian company capable of contributing to economic development in another
country. A business leader could discover a new export market or investment
opportunity. A chamber of commerce could identify a potential partnership with
another organisation, while a government representative could gain a better
understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing business.
Dr. Alafaci stressed that complex economic,
social and international challenges could not be addressed by governments,
businesses or civil society acting alone. Progress required cooperation, shared
knowledge, trust and common purpose. Formal meetings remain essential, but
informal diplomacy can allow participants to communicate more openly and
discover opportunities that may not emerge in a formal setting.
The Australian Business Summit Council Inc. is
a not-for-profit, multisector organisation dedicated to advancing international
business, trade, investment, diplomacy and knowledge exchange. It brings
together diplomats, policymakers, business leaders, investors, academics,
chambers of commerce and community representatives through forums, conferences,
networking events and publications.
The Council seeks to complement the work of
diplomatic missions, government agencies, trade bodies and chambers of commerce
by providing an independent and welcoming platform where relationships can
develop across sectors and national borders.
The organisation believes that sustainable
business relationships are built on mutual respect, cultural understanding and
personal trust. Trade agreements, economic policies and investment frameworks
are important, but people ultimately transform those frameworks into practical
outcomes by recognising opportunities, making introductions and turning ideas
into action.
The Council also publishes EKONOMOS, an
international business affairs magazine featuring contributions from
ambassadors, high commissioners, business executives, academics and thought
leaders. It provides a platform for informed discussion about international
trade, investment, economics, diplomacy, innovation and the changing global
environment.
Through EKONOMOS and its events, the Council
aims to share international perspectives with Australian audiences, while
showcasing the achievements and capabilities of Australian businesses to
diplomatic and international communities.
Australia’s cultural diversity was described as
one of the nation’s greatest economic and diplomatic strengths. The languages,
cultural knowledge, professional expertise and international relationships
represented within Australian society provide the country with an exceptional
capacity to engage with the world.
Connect & Cheers 3 also took place during a
period of economic uncertainty, technological transformation, changing supply
chains and evolving geopolitical conditions. In this environment, trusted
relationships are increasingly valuable.
Trust, however, cannot be created overnight. It
develops gradually through conversations, shared experiences, reliability and
mutual respect. Some introductions made during the evening might lead to
immediate opportunities, while others could develop into future partnerships.
Dr. Alafaci thanked the diplomatic
representatives, business leaders, government officials, emergency services
representatives, community leaders, Council members and supporters who
contributed to the success of the event, especially Councillor Sylvia Alafaci,
the Secretary of the Australian Business Summit Council Inc., whose dedication,
energy and attention to detail were instrumental in organising the evening.
Looking ahead, the Council intends to continue
developing Connect & Cheers as a trusted platform through which diplomacy,
business and community leadership can come together.
As the ABSC Inc. President summed up: “Let us
continue to build bridges between nations. Let us transform conversations into
collaboration. Let us turn introductions into opportunities. And let us ensure
that the connections made tonight become the partnerships of tomorrow.”
