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The Australian Business Council Dubai ABCD, (formerly known as Australian Business in the Gulf Group) is a non-profit organisation with a broad objective: to provide a networking forum for all ABCD members to develop their business activities and to promote trade and other beneficial relationships between Australia and the region.

ABIG was originally conceived in 1993 by the then Australian Consul General and senior Trade Commissioner, Robert Sheppard,  as an outcome of gathering together various Australian businessmen at informal lunches and networking events.
In August 1994, Robert’s successor, Peter Deacon, suggested that a committee be formed. A significant increase in the Australian business community, coupled with an increasing demand for a wider range of networking opportunities and the need for an organisation to represent the needs and views of the Australian business community prompted the formation of a volunteer committee. The new committee met at an inaugural meeting on 31st August 1994.

In the intervening years, ABIG grew from strength to strength with membership increasing each year.  In June of 2007 the Australian Business in the Gulf Group took the decision to change the name of the association to the Australian Business Council Dubai, a move designed to raise the profile of the group and to focus more upon the networking outcomes of the members.

Membership currently totals over 500 and after a recent constitutional change the categories of membership were opened up to accommodate the diverse environment facing Australian citizens and companies in the region.   Membership is open to local branches of Australian companies, agents of Australian companies, companies or individuals with regular business relationships with Australia, and Australian citizens working in the Gulf.

If you are not currently a member of the ABCD, but would like to join, please contact:

Jacqui Garlick our Office Manager