AmCham/Af is the ‘address for business’ in Afghanistan, Ambassador says.
U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker recognized the American Chamber of Commerce of Afghanistan at a Reception at the Embassy in Kabul.   AmCham members and selective potential members mixed and mingled on the terrace of the Ambassador’s residence to highlight the critical importance of the private sector to Afghanistan.

The AmCham, the Ambassador said, is the address for business in Afghanistan that gives him one go-to place to contact corporations and companies.
The esteemed group of AmCham members was led by four Founding Members of the AmCham/Af Board of Directors, Trustee representatives Sadat Naderi of SMN Investments and Simon Chatterton of the Insurance Corporation of Afghanistan, and Ali Arshad of Arif Azim, the first Afghan company to become an Elite member of the organization.
 
The Ambassador was eloquent in his remarks about the value of the American Chamberand its contribution to stability and economic progress.  “We appreciate the close relationship that we have with the AmCham to strengthen Afghanistan’s investment climate,” he said. “We are committed to continue and deepen the relationship with the American Chamber of Commerce going forward.”

MajdoodPopal, the Founding Chairman of the AmCham/Af, also expressed pride in the relationship with the U.S. Embassy, and he noted the high caliber of member companies and businesses.  These companies include new members who were present such as Omran Group, L-3 Communications, Woodbury International, Habib Bank, and Textron. 

Walter Koenig, the Senior Commercial Officer at the Embassy, wrapped up the remarks by emphasizing the momentum of the private sector and the support of the Embassy.  “AmCham members are guaranteed invitations to trade missions and business events,” he said, citing an upcoming event in Herat planned for September.  The earlier trade mission to Kabul, he said, produced $20 million in deals and agreements.

Potential members enjoyed the opportunity to meet with veteran members and executives to discuss the role and reach of the AmCham/Af.  Many left with application packets and business cards of AmCham members such as Road and Roof Construction and Afghan Fleet Services Group, dedicated members who rely on the AmCham/Af to support their efforts and communicate their needs.

Elspeth Smith, the Executive Director of the AmCham/Af expressed gratitude to everyone present for their camaraderie and hard work.  “Join the AmCham/Af and take a seat at the table of the most creative, enterprising group of business people anywhere in the world,” she said.


 

The purpose of US Trade Missions is to bring to international countries a contingent of American companies that are attracted to business potential in the area.The US Trade Mission to Afghanistan officially named the “Business Development Mission to Afghanistan was at first unsure about how much interest American companiesmight express toward Afghanistan. 

As it turns out, there was nothing to worry about. The twelve American companies that were selected to make the trip twenty companies applied for the privilege could not have been more pleased.

Just as pleased were members of the American Chamber of Commerce of Afghanistan who were given exclusive privileges to interact with the incoming companies during matchmaking sessions over several days. Lori Blaker, CEO of TTi Global, spoke for group when she remarked the difference between expectations and reality. 

“I had no idea that the opportunities in Kabul are this great,” she said.  “We are a relatively small company but this is completely different from what we see in the media in the U.S.” In the words of Francisco Sanchez, the Undersecretary of Commerce who led the delegation, the Mission sought to “foster commercial engagement by creating a forum to discuss prospective business opportunities and to explore avenues for collaboration.

Members of AmCham/Af were guaranteed matchmaking sessions with the American companies, and invitations were extended to the AmCham/Af to U.S. Embassy receptions and dinners during the Mission.“I congratulate you and the Trade Team for the successful matchmaking sessions,” wrote one of the newest AmCham/Af members.  “Our company had success with American companies, and I will keep you updated on our progress.”

Walter Koenig, the Senior Commercial Officer at the Embassy, said that almost $25 million in deals are in the pipeline as a result of the mission.  “The Undersecretary said that this mission was incredible in terms of trade impact,” Koenig said.  “He is now one of Afghanistan’s biggest economic fans.”

The twelve companies on the mission are the following:
Bell Helicopter Textron
Case New Holland Inc
Dynamic Defense Materials, LLC
GE Energy
National Air Carg
Navistar
Pepsi-Cola International Ltd.
Quality Pavement Repair
Red Arrow Logistics
Serenus Johnson Portables
Think Renewables, Inc.
TTi Global

The AmCham/Af has embarked on an ambitious membership drive for 2012. The goal is to achieve a dynamic group of committed, highly esteemed organizations to support the goals of the private sector of Afghanistan during its upcoming transitional period. “The AmCham is the voice of American business values in Afghanistan,” said Dr. Elspeth Smith, the Executive Director. “It is very important that leading corporations and organizations in the country maintain a common network that provides up to date information and advocates on their behalf. ”

The organization over the past six months has hosted a significant number of events that bring in US and Afghan government officials and organizations.The Afghanistan program officer for the Center for International Private Enterprise launched the year with a discussion of the National Business Agenda for Afghanistan.

He was quickly followed by a visit from the CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) who met for a discussion and lunch with AmCham members and guests.

“We do invite a limited number of guests and potential members to some of these events,” Dr. Smith said.  “We think that it is a good way for businesses and to become acquainted with the AmCham/Af and the services that we offer.” However, other events are offered exclusively to AmCham/Af members.

For example, a US Trade Mission that was led by the Undersecretary of Commerce provided exclusive access to AmCham/Af companies for matching making sessions with 12 American companies.“I congratulate you and the Trade Team for the successful matchmaking sessions,” wrote one of the newest AmCham/Af members.  “Our company had success with American companies, and I will keep you updated on our progress.

” New companies that have joined the AmCham/Af in 2012 include L-3 Communications, Motley Legal Services, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women’s Program, MarcoPolo Logistics, and Arif Azim which joined at the Elite level of membership.“Afghan companies are highly prized members,” Dr. Smith said.  “In our view, the greater engagement between Afghan and American enterprise, the more sustainable are the businesses and the stronger the bonds for future activity in the country.”

The AmCham/Af offers Corporate through Charter levels of membership; in addition, there are special memberships for small business and NGOs.  For more information, please download the AmCham packet of information by clicking here.