UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, has signed up as principal corporate partner of the not-for-profit Australia Gulf Council (AGC).

The two organisations announced the new partnership at the AGC Inaugural Annual Dinner held at Parliament House in Canberra, a statement from the company said.

AGC chief executive officer, Michael Yabsley, made the announcement before guests including Minister for Trade, Dr Craig Emerson MP; shadow minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Julie Bishop MP; Parliamentary secretary for Trade, Justine Elliot MP; and former Australian Ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations and former Minister for Defence, Robert Hill.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ CEO, said: “As the national airline of the UAE, we take seriously our responsibility for fostering closer relations between Australia and the UAE. The establishment of a formal partnership with the Australia Gulf Council is a significant milestone in achieving this goal.”

“We hope it will herald a new and exciting era of collaboration and increase opportunities for deeper diplomatic, business and cultural exchange,” he said.

Michael Yabsley said: “The AGC Etihad corporate partnership is a great outcome and we look forward to seeing it develop in a way that will add real value for both organisations.”

The airline will support the AGC’s missions to and from the Middle East, and help to build trade, economic and cultural ties between Australia and the GCC community, the statement said. – TradeArabia News Service