AmCham board and members held a special breakfast meeting on September 19 with Holly Vineyard, deputy assistant secretary of commerce for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia in the Market Access and Compliance Unit of the International Trade Administration. Vineyard, who directs the unit's regional activities, is responsible for developing programs, policies and strategies to strengthen the US commercial position in over 80 countries.

Discussions during the breakfast meeting focused on recent developments in trade relations between Egypt and the US, and the possibilities for new business opportunities, especially in the IT and communications sector. Vineyard highlighted the success and benefits of the qualifying industrial zones (QIZs), and addressed the status of the proposed Egypt-US free trade agreement, as well as the prospects of a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA). She also commended the AmCham board on the launch of the AmChams Regional MENA Council.