U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S.-GCC Business Initiative

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Copyright © 2015 by the United States Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form—print, electronic, or otherwise—without the express written permission of the publisher.

The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative was launched in 2014 following significant interest from both U.S. Chamber corporate members and companies from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) interested in making inward investments into the United States. This program reflects the Chamber’s increasing focus on and activities in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates as well as Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

The reality is that these countries have emerged as critical hubs for

the region and around the globe. Rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, these nations are also diversifying and strengthening development of other critical sectors such as infrastructure and logistics, health care, information technology, education, tourism, and financial services.

The Initiative provides members with customized advocacy on trade, investment, and regulatory issues throughout the GCC countries; access to senior government officials and thought leaders from those countries; leadership opportunities in meetings and events; and opportunities to participate in business missions and forums in the GCC.

The commercial and investment prospects in the GCC countries are vast. The Chamber invites you to learn more about our programs focused on the key bilateral relationships and the benefits of joining the U.S.-GCC Business Initiative.

For more information, visit www.uschamber.com.

Message From

Khush Choksy

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Khush Choksy, Vice President, Middle East Affairs U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative is the premier advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening the commercial and investment relationship between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Through this platform, we manage the important bilateral economic relationships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain as well as engage key officials at the GCC Secretariat who affect trade and commerce across the six states.

About Us

UAE’s Minister of Economy, His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri (middle), speaks during a roundtable discussion with member companies hosted by the U.S. Chamber in cooperation with AmCham Abu Dhabi and the American Business Council of Dubai.

The U.S. Chamber, in collaboration with the US-Qatar Business Council, hosts Qatar’s Minister of Energy and Industry, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, for a reception and gala dinner. His Excellency speaks about the critical commercial relationship between Qatar and the United States and about opportunities in Qatar for U.S. investment.

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Mission

The U.S. Chamber, in cooperation with the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce’s Committee for International Trade, hosted a delegation of the Saudi-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Committee on the Majlis Al-Shura of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a roundtable discussion with American business leaders.

The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative is deeply engaged with commercial and investment institutions in the region and leverages its partnerships and nine American Chambers of Commerce in the GCC countries.

The Chamber has signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Council of Saudi Chambers, the UAE Federation of Chambers and Industry, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. In addition, the Chamber has a strong working relationship with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

These partnerships help provide access for the Chamber and our members to key government officials and business leaders in the region and serve as avenues to advance our policy and regulatory agenda.

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The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative is located within the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is thus able to leverage the Chamber’s resources, expertise, and relationships at the highest levels of both the private and public sectors. The Initiative also has full access to the Chamber’s congressional affairs and legal resources as well as to various Chamber institutes and programs. This access can be used to advance Initiative policies and programs.

Members meet regularly with U.S. ambassadors to countries in the GCC and other high-ranking U.S. officials. In addition, they meet with members of Congress and senior representatives in the departments of Commerce, Energy, State, and Defense; the Office of the United States Trade Representative; the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and the Export-Import Bank as part of the Initiative’s ongoing partnerships with government officials.

The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative works with the embassies of GCC countries in the United States to organize business forums and events with senior government officials. It also works with embassies in these countries to promote bilateral commercial linkages and address issues facing U.S.-GCC Business Initiative members.

U.S. Visibility

Ambassador Douglas Silliman, the top U.S. envoy to Kuwait, speaks with Lisa Schroeter of The Dow Chemical Company and other member companies during a roundtable discussion on opportunities in Kuwait.

Ambassador Barbara Leaf (right), pictured with members Diana Keegan of MetLife and Heather Pederson of Boeing, discusses opportunities and the current commercial landscape in the United Arab Emirates during a roundtable luncheon at the U.S. Chamber.

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The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative is deeply engaged with commercial and investment institutions in the region and leverages its partnerships and nine American Chambers of Commerce in the GCC countries.

The Chamber has signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Council of Saudi Chambers, the UAE Federation of Chambers and Industry, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), and the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority. In addition, the Chamber has a strong working relationship with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

These partnerships help provide access for the Chamber and our members to key government officials and business leaders in the region and serve as avenues to advance our policy and regulatory agenda.

Presence in the GCC

The U.S. Chamber’s Steve Lutes (right) is pictured with HRH Prince Saud Bin Khaled Al-Faisal, Deputy Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, on the sidelines of a roundtable discussion in Riyadh. The discussion focused on increasing investment and competitiveness of the biopharmaceutical sector in Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue (left) shaking hands with His Excellency Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. In the honor of His Excellency’s visit, the Chamber hosts a private roundtable meeting and reception with high-level business executives.

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Member ServicesThe U.S.-GCC Business Initiative focuses on three specific areas for its members.

Network DevelopmentThe U.S.-GCC Business Initiative establishes formal and informal relationships with like-minded organizations in both the United States and the GCC, and it works to create strategic ties with existing business development organizations in the region. The Initiative also organizes and hosts high-profile events, delegations, and conferences to promote enhanced business dialogue and cooperation between the American and GCC private sectors.

Membership

U.S. Chamber Vice President Khush Choksy shaking hands with H.E. Secretary General of the UAE Federation of Chambers after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a new working relationship between the organizations.

"KAUST beacon" by Arbitrarily0 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KAUST_beacon.jpg#/media/File:KAUST_beacon.jpg

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Policy Formulation and Advocacy The U.S.-GCC Business Initiative serves as an advocate for member companies on macroeconomic, investment, and trade policies and regulations that enhance the ability of member companies to garner market access. Leveraging the U.S. Chamber’s position as the world’s largest business advocacy federation, the U.S.-GCC Business Initiative influences trade and investment policies in U.S. and GCC governments as well as with the GCC Secretariat, which impacts commerce across the six countries.

Business ExpansionGiven the rapid growth of the GCC market, the Initiative gives significant attention to expanding business opportunities for its member companies. It identifies projects, ventures, and partners to facilitate increased business development.

Left to right: Executive Director of U.S.-GCC Business Initiative Steve Lutes, Director for U.S.-Bahrain Business Council Jennifer Miel, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E. Zayed Alzayani, and Co-Chair of the U.S.-Bahrain Business Council Khalid Al Zayani during an event highlighting new opportunities for U.S. companies in Bahrain.

Contact Us Steve LutesExecutive Director, U.S.-GCC Business Initiative Tel: 202-463-5830Email: slutes@uschamber.com

Carin RisingManager, U.S.-GCC Business Initiative Tel: 202-463-5734Email: crising@uschamber.com

www.usgccbiz.org

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1615 H Street, NWWashington, DC 20062

Telephone 202-463-5596www.usgccbiz.org