The APBC launched a photo exhibit entitled “Open for Business – 75 Years” at its traditional year-end event held at Sofitel Darling Harbour in Sydney on 7 December 2021. It’s the 75th Year of official relations between Australia and the Philippines so the event was a celebration of old ties, as well as new beginnings to mark a significant changeover of the APBC Board of Directors 2021-2022.
Said to be the first to visually capture the history of trade and investment ties between Australia and the Philippines, the comprehensive photo display showcased the long and enduring relationship between the two countries.
Australia was already an importer of Philippine sugar, coffee, abaca rope, cigars and hats in the mid 1800s. Filipino seamen called the “Manila Men” arrived during Western Australia’s pearl rush in the late 1860s and played an integral part in the development of Australia’s pearl, trochus and sea cucumber industries. Today, the Australia-Philippines relationship is one of the longest-standing and significant partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. Broad and deep trade and investment ties between the two countries have developed through 75 years of mutual cooperation and exchange.
The photo exhibit also featured highlights of the APBC journey from its beginnings in 1975. Boasting over 47 years of history, the APBC remains the premier private sector organisation dedicated to maximising the potential of trade and investment between Australia and the Philippines.
The photo exhibit will tour the key cities through 2022 as part of a busy schedule of APBC events.
