Representatives of the association and the Leaders highlight the role of trade, mobility and business cooperation | Ver el Resumen del Programa en PDF
The Australia New Zealand Spain Business Association (ANZSBA) has been promoting commercial, professional, and cultural relations between Spain and the Oceanian countries for more than 30 years. Its main objective is to foster economic exchange and mutual understanding between the three countries, as well as to create an active network of businesses, institutions, and professionals. Its members include major multinationals from both hemispheres, such as our patrons Navantia and RMIT University.
The Spain-Australia Council Foundation organized a meeting between the 2025 Leaders and two members of the ANZSBA Board of Directors: its president, Juan Millán, and Gina Bowman, director of the Gedeth Network and liaison with the ABIE (Australian Business in Europe) network.
During an informal meeting over coffee, the conversation revolved around the economic and trade relations between Spain and Australia, which have strengthened in recent years thanks to institutional cooperation and the growing interest from companies from both countries.
One of the main topics discussed was the free trade agreement between the European Union and Australia, marked by the slow pace of negotiations and the resistance of some European countries that could be affected. This slowness, however, is no greater than that of other important European Union agreements, such as Mercosur, which has been under negotiation for more than twenty years.
The role of Spanish companies in Australia was also analyzed, such as our employer Acciona, a leader in renewable energy and infrastructure in the country. Among the main beneficiaries of a future free trade agreement between Australia and the EU would be Spanish small and medium-sized businesses, which, thanks to mobility agreements, could more easily accompany large multinationals in their internationalization process.
Conversely, Australian funds such as Macquarie and IFM have invested in infrastructure in Spain. Furthermore, Spain is presented as an attractive destination for foreign professionals and digital nomads: cities such as Malaga, Barcelona, and Valencia stand out for their quality of life, climate, and technological ecosystem. The Canary Islands, for their part, offer their tax regime as their main attraction.
Regarding youth mobility, more and more Spanish students are choosing Australia as a destination to improve their English, thanks to initiatives such as Working Holiday visas. Following the pandemic and Brexit, Australia has become a particularly attractive destination for Europeans.
Finally, some emblematic business cases were mentioned, such as CIMIC, the Australian subsidiary of our employer ACS, or the initiative led by the Australian company Infinity Lithium, which seeks to develop a lithium mine in Extremadura to supply the battery industry.
Meeting Attendees:
Juan Millán, president of ANZSBA
Gina Bowman, Director of Gedeth Network and Liaison with ABIE
