Bright Horizons for the Mexico and Western Australia Relationship

Mexico is going through a period of significant economic reform; opening new sectors and creating new opportunities for Australian businesses to enter into this dynamic market. With its extensive network of FTAs and partnerships, Mexico also acts as an exceptional gateway to the Americas.

You are invited to join us for a light lunch to further discover why this is an opportune time to explore the many market opportunities Mexico has to offer.

Guest speakers include representatives from the Mexican and Australian diplomatic corps. From a commercial perspective, Tony Rovira from Azure Minerals, will provide insights into operating a successful company in Mexico. He will be joined by Chris Rodwell, newly appointed CCIWA CEO, who will discuss lessons learnt during his recent time spent as Trade Commissioner to Mexico.

This is a free event. However registrations online are essential, and places are limited. Registrations close on Friday the 11th of May

To register click here

About the speakers:

His Excellency Mr Eduardo Peña-Haller, Ambassador of the United Mexican States 

Born and raised in Mexico City, Mr Peña-Haller completed his bachelor degree on International Law Major at the Iberoamerican University and wrote a thesis on The Mexican Foreign Service and its Legislation 1821-1982. In 1991 he did a LLM Master of Laws in American Law at the University of Houston, Texas. After his studies, in 1982, he joined the Mexican Foreign Service and the Diplomatic Academy of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs which gave him the opportunity to perform in different positions such as Consul in Houston Texas, Deputy Ambassador of Mexico in Germany, Uruguay, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, Head of the office for Legal Affairs in Belgium, General Consul in Germany. Mr Peña-Haller was Deputy Legal Advisor at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Mexico before his posting to Australia as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. 

His Excellency Dr David Engel, Australian Ambassador to Mexico 

Dr Engel is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Until recently, he was Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, where he had earlier served as First Secretary. He has also served as Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington.    In Canberra, Dr Engel has served as Assistant Secretary of DFAT’s Policy Planning Branch and Assistant Secretary of the Global Issues Branch. He previously served in the Office of National Assessments as Assistant Director-General for Southeast Asia.

Mr Esaú Garza, ProMexico Trade Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand and Oceania 

Mr Garza has fulfilled numerous coordination and managerial roles in the private industry in multinational companies. From 2008 to 2013 he was appointed as ProMexico´s Trade Commissioner in Japan. From 2013 to 2015 he served as Secretary of Economic Development for the Mexican State of Aguascalientes. In May 2015 he took on his current role of Trade Commissioner for Australia, New Zealand and Oceania in the newly opened ProMéxico office in Australia within the Mexican Embassy, where he continues his work promoting business opportunities with Mexico. 

Mr Christopher Rodwell, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Western Australia (CCIWA) 

Mr Rodwell assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer with the CCIWA in February 2018, following an extended period developing Australia’s international trade and investment footprint.   His work in international business spans Australasia, North America, Latin America and Europe. In addition, Mr Rodwell has advanced major reforms in Australia in areas such as education & training, innovation, and public asset divestment. Mr Rodwell has held a number of board, advisory and senior executive posts, including as Austrade's Trade Commissioner – Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean. 

Mr Tony Rovira, Honorary Consul to Mexico in Western Australia Managing Director, Azure Minerals Limited 

Mr Rovira has worked in the mining industry for 35 years, firstly as an exploration and mining geologist and for the past 15 years in company management as Managing Director of Azure Minerals Limited. Early in his career, Mr Rovira was responsible for the discovery of several gold and nickel deposits in Australia which were developed into operating mines.   Mr Rovira is credited with steering Azure’s exploration push into Mexico, where the company has been exploring and developing precious and base metals deposits for the past 12 years. Azure is currently studying the development of a mine on its Oposura zinc-lead-sliver project.   Mr Rovira has recently been awarded the prestigious 2018 Ostotakani Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions to the mining industry in Mexico.

This event is proudly presented by the Export Council of Australia (ECA), in partnership with ProMexico and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) in WA.

The header image is Cityscape of Cancun at Night from https://www.goodfreephotos.com