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President's Letter
AmCham Egypt continues to raise the bar. The organization’s solid performance in 2006 exceeded all expectations and set a new standard in meeting the needs of our members. It was by all means a busy year. With membership now exceeding 1,300 and attendance up across the board, AmCham Egypt events required more planning and coordination than ever. In addition to its monthly luncheons, the Chamber organized nearly a dozen events in 2006, with high-profile guest speakers from both the political and economic arenas. It also organized five conferences in Egypt and US to discuss issues of immediate significance to the business community.
The increased interest in these events extended to our committee meetings. AmCham Egypt’s committees met 38 times over the course of 2006, utilizing the depth and richness of our membership to provide a practitioner’s point of view on major economic issues. This input has proven invaluable in formulating and reviewing economic policies, having been conveyed by AmCham Egypt to the government at the highest level.
Our efforts are taking place on both sides of the Atlantic. In March 2006, AmCham Egypt continued its tradition of sending missions to the United States to lobby for trade and favorable business relations, and increase the local business community’s visibility in Washington. The 2006 DoorKnock mission to Washington comprised 28 delegates, who met senior Administration officials as well as representatives of the Congress, Senate and various think tanks. The Chamber also hosted visiting US congressional staffers – a strategy aimed at laying the groundwork for mutual understanding with the decisionmakers of tomorrow.
While advocacy is important, it’s equally important that AmCham Egypt communicate key economic issues and the results of our lobbying efforts to the general public. To that end, I’m proud of the work carried out by the Publications Department, which produces our monthly journal, Business Monthly. The independent, news-driven magazine provides accurate reporting and commentary on business and the economy. The magazine’s circulation exceeded 8,500 last year.
The Publications Department also works closely with the Membership Services Department to produce our annual Directory of Membership – a comprehensive listing of all AmCham members and their companies. It also publishes the research papers of the Business Studies & Analysis Center (BSAC), our in-house economic research center. In 2006, BSAC produced a fresh report on the pharmaceuticals sector, which included comprehensive analysis, forecasts and recommendations for future development of the local industry.
Another service that deserves special recognition is the Career Development Center (CDC), which fulfills AmCham Egypt’s commitment to supporting the business community’s development through continuing education and training programs. The CDC offers 16 different certificates, fresh-graduate training programs, as well as continued education programs in business and finance in coordination with several Egyptian universities and international institutions. Last year, it provided training to more than 2,400 individuals.
Meanwhile, the Business Information Center (BIC) continued to develop the AmCham Egypt website, which averages one million hits a month. BIC expanded its Tenders Alert Service (TAS), while its state-of-the-art videoconferencing facilities saw increased demand in 2006.
The Trade-Related Assistance Center (TRAC), AmCham Egypt’s newest department, has established itself as an invaluable forum and information center on issues pertaining to Egypt’s bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. TRAC held several conferences and roundtable discussions in 2006 to address a variety of issues of concern to the Egyptian business community and its further integration into the global economy.
Of course, AmCham Egypt is a team effort and our many achievements would not be possible without the tireless work of our Board of Governors and our first-class, committed staff. Thank you. I would also like to thank all our members for their continued support. It is your participation that makes AmCham Egypt a truly great organization.
Sincerely,
Taher S. Helmy
President, AmCham Egypt
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