2007 PRESIDENT'S REPORT TO THE AGM

Welcome

Welcome to the President's Report for 2007. It has been an eventful year which saw a visit by the President of Finland, Ms Tarja Halonen, to Australia and a change in the leadership of the Chamber.

Change of guard

After almost 3 years as President of the Chamber, Tim Purcell resigned at the end of June 2007 from his positions as President and Committee member of the Chamber due to work commitments. Ms Silke Koernicke was appointed as President in his place with effect from 3 July 2007. We thank Tim for his leadership and contribution to the Chamber as Committee member and President over the past few years and wish him all the best for the future.

There has also been a change of guard at the Consulate of Finland in Sydney. We farewelled Consul Aino Elfgren who has returned to Finland, and we welcomed Consul Pirjo Leino who took up her position on 1 August 2007.

FACC activities during 2006/2007

The President of Finland, Ms Tarja Halonen, visited Australia and New Zealand between 13 and 21 February 2007. In Canberra the President had a meeting with the Prime Minister John Howard and Governor General Michael Jeffrey.

Some members of the Committee of the Chamber were invited to attend an official lunch with the President hosted by the Prime Minister at Parliament House.

While we were unfortunately, due to protocol restrictions, unable to host an event with Ms Halonen for all of the members of the Chamber, the Chamber was involved in an Innovation Dialogue which took place in Sydney on 16 February 2007. This event was organised by FACC, the Embassy of Finland in Canberra, the European-Australian Business Council and the Sydney Chamber of Commerce. The event was attended by the President and a Finnish technology delegation traveling with her, and had as its aim to increase cooperation between Australia and Finland by bringing together government and academic representatives from both countries for an exchange of ideas.

On 2 August 2007 the members of the Chamber had a chance to meet the new Consul Ms Leino for the first time at a Chamber drink's night at the Attic Bar which was incidentally our biggest event ever in terms of attendance.

FACC activities planned for 2007/2008

On 28 November 2007 the Chamber will participate for the first time in the annual "Cruise with the Europeans". This event is hosted on the MV Sydney 2000 and will allow FACC members to enjoy a 2 hour harbour cruise which offers not only good food and great views, but also unique networking opportunities with members of a total of 9 European Chambers and trade representations!

Other events which are planned for the coming year include an "at home" function at the premises of Stora Enso, a lunch to be hosted by Nokia and we are considering co-hosting another event with the other Nordic trade representations following the success of the Nordic Business Seminar in 2006. We will of course continue to try to organise member events whenever Finnish politicians visit Australia to give all of our members and their guests the chance to meet official representatives of Finland.

Participation by Members

While the Committee members meet regularly to organise events throughout the year, it is the members of the Chamber who really represent what the Chamber is today and into the future. Without its members the Chamber would not exist.

We therefore seek your continuous involvement through your attendance at events, comments, suggestions for future events and nominations for the Chamber's Committee.

Your feedback and suggestions are appreciated and always welcome!

Silke Koernicke
President FACC
Sydney, October 2007