SACC organise a number of events every year ranging from business seminar and webinar series on current topics, to the next generation of Australian-Swedish business, casual networking forums, breakfast seminars, lunches, educational seminars and social events around Swedish festivities. We have some exciting events and business seminars planned for 2020 in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, so remember check the up coming events on this site. The annual Swedish Business Awards will take place towards the end of the year at the SACC Christmas Event in Sydney.
We are constantly planning events with interesting topics and speakers. If you are interested in sponsor an event or seminar please contact us.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WEBINARS
AI – Key Trends and Developments to Expect Next – 1 May at Hexagon’s new North Sydney office
SACC Sydney After Work 22 May 2024
Cruise with the Europeans 2023, Sydney 16 Nov
November 16th we embarked on the European Cruise in Sydney Harbour and what an evening we had!
17 European chambers collaboratively worked together to make sure everyone had a memorable evening as we sailed across the harbour enjoying the sunset behind Sydney’s famous landmarks. With a record of nearly 700 people attending we were set to meet a mix of new and familiar faces to network with. Following the cruise, we joined the on-shore after-party. Great to see so many members and guests there.
Thanks to all European Chambers and especially the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce for coordinating it all!
#cruise #european #chambersofcommerce
EABC European Australian Trade & Investment Forum, Sydney 16 Nov
Representatives from the SACC Board were delighted to participate in the EABC’s EU-Australia Trade & Investment Forum on 16 November supported by BDO, the EU Delegation to Australia and Investment NSW.
Here is a summary of the discussions and presentations:
HE Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia, gave us an update on the outlook for EU-Australia economic relations. While reflecting on the disappointing developments in Osaka, Ambassador Visentin underlined the booming two-way trade flows in recent years and the continued commitment to finalising an EU-Australia FTA as an integral part of EU trade portfolio. Following the Ambassador’s address, EABC CEO Jason Collins emphasised the necessity of continuing pressure and collective efforts to finalise the FTA, highlighting that it is the biggest missing piece of Australia’s trade agreement network. Ambassador Visentin and Jason then discussed the importance of maintain strong advocacy for modernising and expanding the bilateral architecture, both through an FTA and beyond, to remove unnecessary obstacles and establish the frameworks to facilitate the flow of ideas, technology, goods and services, people and investment from which both markets stand to gain. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of facilitating closer business and organisational cooperation to solve common challenges and capitalise on the exciting and vast opportunities we share in strategic sectors.
The second session, moderated by EABC’s Caragh Johnson, focused on specific business opportunities and programmes being driven by Australian federal and state government agencies – including Austrade’s Head of Investment Europe, Middle East & Africa and Head of Critical Minerals, Emma McDonald, followed by the NSW Government’s Dr Shoshana Fogelman, Senior Manager of Ecosystem Development for the Westmead Health & Innovation District, Michelle Cheng, Senior Manager of Innovation District Ecosystem at Tech Central, and Tim Stock, Director of Hydrogen & Clean Energy for the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change.
Emma McDonald provided an insightful update on Australia’s investment environment, the government’s plans for strategic growth sectors (including critical minerals, solar, wind, batteries, Australia’s transmission network and hydrogen industry), and key opportunities for European business and investors.
Dr Shoshana Fogelman provided an overview of the exciting opportunities and support for European businesses and investors to be part of the Westmead Health and Innovation District, with the NSW Government accelerating the development at what is already one of Australia’s largest health and research zones. Innovation ecosystem initiatives include the Western Sydney Startup Hub, the Westmead Biomedical Incubator and Australia’s first commercial-scale Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility.
Michelle Cheng then updated participants on the opportunities and support offered to those interested in being part of Australia’s largest technology and innovation hub, Tech Central. The concentrated hub offers three major nodes of capability focused on Deep Tech (Eveleigh Node), Digital and Creative Tech (Haymarket Node), and Medical and BioTech (Camperdown Node).
Finally, Tim Stock provided an overview of NSW’s Hydrogen Strategy and the efforts the Government is undertaking to unlock the potential for NSW to develop a competitive and thriving green hydrogen industry. He outlined the huge investments and incentives on offer to support industry development and reduce the cost of green hydrogen by over $4 per kg in the next decade.
Sustainable Food and Beverage – Virtual Event 14 Nov
Can Food Systems Enable Sustainable and Resilient Food Value Chain for Tomorrow?
Food loss and waste (FLW) also account for 8-10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), contributing to an unstable climate and extreme weather events such as droughts and flooding. Prioritizing the reduction of food loss and waste is therefore critical for the transition to sustainable food systems that improve the efficient use of natural resources, lessen their impact on the planet and ensure food security and nutrition.
In this session, we discussed sustainable food and beverage systems problems and solutions from three different approaches by the following industry specialists:
The discussion was facilitated by Linda Nordin, SACC Sustainability Committee and Circular Economy Specialist at SMEC
See speaker presentations here:
ABB presentation
Alfa Laval presentation
Tetra Pak presentation
About the speakers:
With a background in chemical engineering, Patrick Horner works for Alfa Laval as a technology expert driving innovation in water management globally for circularity and corporate water stewardship. As a process specialist focused on industrial wastewater treatment, Patrick has worked extensively in a range of water intensive industries including Food and Beverage applications. Patrick is also a book author who has been working with and writing about the critical role of water for over 15 years. Originally from Canada, he’s currently based in Copenhagen, Denmark with a role of Global Technology Lead for Alfa Laval’s Zero Liquid Discharge, a new water treatment technology for zero waste.
Katie Carson, Director Corporate Affairs Food & Climate Policy of Tetra Pak Group
Katie Carson has over 20 years of policy and advocacy experience in the agri-food sector. She joined Tetra Pak in 2022 as Director Corporate Affairs Global Food & Climate Policy. She is responsible for leading the Tetra Pak Food and Climate advocacy agenda, as well as building out the company’s sustainable food systems strategy with a focus on the enabling role of food processing technologies and packaging solutions in the transition to more sustainable food systems.
John Rieusset, Sector Lead – Food and Beverage, ABB Australia
ABB (www.abb.com) is a Swiss-Swedish global engineering and technology company. John’s scope of responsibility at ABB includes leading multidisciplinary teams in the supply of robotics, motion, process automation, electrification and digital technologies into the food and beverage manufacturing industry in Australia. A key focus is helping food and beverage manufacturers to achieve their sustainability goals, particularly in terms of maximising energy efficiency and eliminating food waste throughout their operations. John more than two decades of experience working across a broad range of technical, commercial and leadership positions within the technology industry throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. He is based in Melbourne.
Linda Nordin, Circular Economy Specialist, Senior Associate Engineer, Waste & Resource Recovery
Linda Nordin is a Senior Associate Environmental Engineer at SMEC with 18 years of experience in strategic planning, implementing and operating waste, organic and recycling services for waste service providers as well as Local Councils. She has long experience in planning and implementing actions that divert waste from landfill and delivers towards net zero and a circular economy system to commercial customers. Linda has worked with undertaken feasibility studies around modern technology for Wet and Dry Anaerobic digestion, MRF facilities in remote regions, IVC processing, renewable fuel production incl Hydrogen and vacuum technology using Optic sort.
This webinar was organised by the SACC Sustainability Committee
Swedish Chambers APAC Virtual CEO Talk 8 Nov – Micael Johansson President and CEO Saab Group
Over the past few years, the global defence industry has undergone significant transformations. Long-standing geopolitical alliances have shifted, new economic powerhouses have risen, and emerging technologies have revolutionised warfare. These factors have not only reshaped the way nations perceive security but also altered the very nature of defence manufacturing and strategy.
In order to keep citizens safe, the defence industry in 2023 is under pressure to keep pace with both rapidly developing technology and evolving shifts on the geopolitical stage. This includes staying ahead in areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous solutions, and robotics, while also contending with the ever-growing challenges posed by asymmetric threats, cyber warfare, and the escalating significance of climate change in defence planning. These challenges require highly agile organisations that can quickly adjust to new ways of working and have firmly established innovation as a key success factor.
Swedish Chambers APAC were delighted to welcome Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab Group, as a guest at the Swedish Chambers APAC CEO Series Virtual Event on 8 November. Mr Johansson shared how he sees the role of the defence industry in our society today and outlined key strategic priorities for Saab Group. He also commented on how current geopolitical uncertainties impact the company and what he considers crucial measures to continue to keep our world a safe place.
The conversation with Mr Johansson was led by Meia Nouwens, Senior Fellow for Chinese Security and Defence Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Speaker:
Mr Johansson brings around 40 years of experience within engineering, sensor systems and defence. He is an experienced leader and has served within many different areas and at many different levels of Saab AB through the years. Most recently, he served as Senior Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO for Saab AB. Before that, he served as Senior Vice President and head of business area Surveillance, comprising Saab’s operations within Radar, Electronic Warfare, Command and Control and Traffic Management systems. Since 2023, he has been Vice Chairman of the Board of ASD – Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe. Mr. Johansson started his career as a systems engineer in 1985. After that, he held various management positions at Saab Avionics (then known as Ericsson Saab Avionics). In 2008, he was appointed President of Saab Avitronics, and in January 2010, he became Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance. He is active on a global level within Saab through various positions and boards within Saab, giving him a unique platform for involvement in the business in countries such as the USA, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Mr Johansson holds a BSc+ in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Uppsala, Sweden and various management training, e.g. at IFL Executive Education and Investor Forum Novare.
Founded in 1937, Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission: To help nations keep their people and society safe. The company designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Headquartered in Sweden and with operations on every continent, Saab continuously develops, adapts and improves new technology to meet its customers’ changing needs. In 2022, the company had 19,000 employees and a turnover of SEK 42 bn.
Previous guests at Swedish Chambers APAC CEO Series:
Göran Björkman, President & CEO, Alleima
Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group
Mats Ramström, President & CEO, Atlas Copco Group
Christian Levin, President & CEO, Scania Group
Jonas Samuelson, CEO, Electrolux AB