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VIEWPOINT

Familiarity breeds confidence

Visiting America is always a stimulating experience, and in the context of AmCham's annual Doorknock mission it can be a pretty demanding one as well. As usual, the delegation spent the better part of 10 days in meetings and dialogue sessions with congressmen, senators, media and press people, and of course, other businessmen. Washington's ambiance is very highly charged: people are busy and they come straight to the point. But this year, the points we came to were slightly different, and one noticed a subtle, but definitely positive, shift in the tenor of our reception.

In the past, despite the fact that the main objective of these visits is to enhance commercial relationships, we found ourselves answering many politically oriented questions. For a long time there was a certain emphasis on regional stability and Egypt's role in the peace process. In subsequent years the hottest subject was Egypt's economic reform, its scope and depth, and the proof of its results.

This year, it seemed that Egypt's political and economic stability were more accepted as givens, and our meetings concentrated on practical specifics. People still asked about politics and macroeconomics, but the thrust of the questioning was aimed towards business matchmaking. Congressmen and senators now perceive Egypt as a place they can do business with and, by doing so, serve their constituents.

Trade, consequently, was a major topic of discussion, as Egypt is increasingly perceived as the prime regional trading center. Our membership in COMESA, in addition to an Arab Trade Agreement and the upcoming EU partnership, makes Egypt a base with a huge outreach to neighboring countries with terrific trade potential. Private sector-led port projects on either end of the Gulf of Suez also represent a considerable upgrade in Egypt's status as a transshipment hub.

Unrelated to the Doorknock mission, but also under AmCham's auspices, an eight-member delegation from the US House Ways and Means Committee visited Egypt on April 18 with these developments and ways of enhancing Egyptian-American trade relations very much in mind. Indeed, one of the outcomes of our mission was to initiate talks for several more trade missions to and from America to examine mutual opportunities and benefits more closely over the coming year.

Aside from the delegation's business agenda, we were honored to host a gala dinner in cooperation with the Library of Congress and the Egyptian embassy in Washing-ton. The event was designed to honor patrons of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and we were privileged to welcome Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak as guest speaker. The First Lady addressed the issues of culture and knowledge and the valuable role that monumental institutions like the library play in their preservation. Over 450 guests participated in the event, which was deemed a resounding success.

Indeed, the cumulative effect of these Doorknock journeys is greater than the sum of their parts. While building stronger commercial relationships, our delegation is able to communicate something of our way of life, our goals as individuals and members of our communities. A regular presence, such as that provided by the AmCham Door-knock, helps our American counterparts to understand Egypt and Egyptians better and to see that we all share the same essential objectives.

I'd like to thank all the delegation members and AmCham staff who helped make our trip a success, as well as our hosts in Washington and New York who made our stay a pleasurable and beneficial one. I'd also like to welcome Mr. Neil MacDonald, the new Editor-in-Chief of Business Monthly, and to wish the staff the best in their continuing efforts to keep our readers up-to-date on AmCham's myriad opportunities as they unfold.

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