amcham azerbaijan annual report 2008-2009

www.amchamaz.orgAmCham International RelationsAmerican Chamber of Commerce is a member of the United States Chamber of Commerce(USCC), the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambersand industry associations. From its headquarters near the White House, the Chambermaintains a professional staff of hundreds of the nation's top policy experts, lobbyists,lawyers, and communicators. Special initiatives covering energy, infrastructure, educationand training, and workforce rules help drive the pro-business agenda. The Chamber isalso active in shaping legal policy through its in-house law firm, the National ChamberLitigation Center (NCLC), and through the Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). The Chamberalso runs the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), a program of the NationalEndowment for Democracy. Through its growing network of grassroots business activists,the Chamber makes a tremendous impact educating voters, turning out the business vote,and advancing legislation on Capitol Hill. In 2009, the Chamber hosted more than 2,500programs, meetings, seminars, and forums with various participants, including membersof the Obama administration, members of Congress, and dozens of international leaders.Together with 112 other AmChams in 100 countries AmCham Azerbaijan represents USChamber’s International Division.AmCham Azerbaijan is also a Member-At-Large of European Council of American Chambersof Commerce (ECACC). Founded in 1963, the ECACC today represents the corporateinterests of more than 17.000 American and European companies, based in 41 countriesand employing more than 20 million people. ECACC's member companies account formore than $ 1.1 trillion in investment on both sides of the Atlantic. Membership of ECACCis not defined by geographical borders but by the willingness and ability to contribute tothe network, as well as the basic requirement of being accredited by the US Chamber ofCommerce. ECACC promotes commercial, financial and industrial relations between theUnited States and European countries; presents the views of the business communityoperating in the areas of the member Chambers to agencies and organizations in theUnited States; represents, when appropriate, the views and aims of the members' intereststo representatives of host country governments and other regional intergovernmentalorganizations. From its inception, ECACC has been the voice of international business inEurope. It is recognized both in Europe and the United States as an influential opinionformingbody actively engaged in fostering better trade and investment relations betweenits chambers' host countries and the United States.39