Executive directors of the European Council of American Chambers of Commerce, representing 42 AmChams from across Europe and Eurasia, recently met in Washington DC for their 2010 Transatlantic Conference.
At the US Chamber of Commerce conference attendees had the opportunity to discuss the outcome of the election and the potential impact on international trade and the US economy with Washington DC experts.
US Chamber president and CEO Tom Donohue led the session together with senior US Chamber of Commerce executives.
Hard-hitting comments and presentations on the healthcare reform package, capital markets legislation, employment and investment were the key points raised.
In a session with the International Operations team of the US Department of Commerce, AmCham delegates met and discussed Department of Commerce programmes.
Key officials included Juan Verde, deputy assistant secretary for Europe, Market Access and Compliance, and Karen Zens, deputy assistant secretary for International Operations.
The highlight of the session at the Department of Commerce was a keynote speech by assistant secretary of Trade Promotion and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service, Suresh Kumar, who emphasised the importance of the department’s partnership with AmChams spread across the globe.
Lockheed Martin’s president for Continental Europe in Global Operations, Scott Harris, led a presentation to the delegates and then accompanied them on a tour of the corporation’s Fighter Demonstration Centre, Space Experience Centre and the Tactical Solutions Centre.
The official conference programme concluded with a transatlantic business reception, co-hosted by AmChams in Europe and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Keynote remarks were delivered by Michael Camuñez, assistant secretary for Market Access and Compliance, US Department of Commerce, and Hiddo Houben, Trade Minister for the EU delegation to the US. More than 150 guests included ambassadors and embassy representatives, senior trade officials as well as representatives from US and European businesses.
The participation of AmCham Malta in such high level conferences and business events is important to continue building the network of contacts with US trade and commercial institutions.
These institutions can assist AmCham members to expand and pursue trade and investment opportunities with the US, said Pierre Attard, president of AmCham Malta, who also attended the conference.
Free copies of the publication The Transatlantic Economy 2010 are available and may be obtained by e-mailing secretary@amchammalta.org.