American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain held its first Annual General Meeting on February 25, 2006 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel & Spa. During the meeting, general members of AmCham voted for 3 candidates to replace board members Samir Benmakhlouf (Microsoft Bahrain) and James Walsh (FedEx) who left Bahrain. The highest number of votes went to Ghassan Mteirek (Microsoft Bahrain) and Lynn Thorvilson (Kellogg Brown & Root). The board membership is for the two year term 2006-2008.
The board members including the 2 new members have also met separately to reorganize positions in the Board of Directors. Mr. Khalid Al Zayani has been officially elected as the new AmCham president. The new board of directors now consists of Mr. Trevor Stokes as First Executive VP, Mr. Adel Al Safar remained the same as Second Executive VP, new member Ms. Lynn Thorvilson as VP – Programs, Mr. Steve Kent remained the same as VP – Membership, and Mr. Qays Al Zubi as VP – legal, and new member Mr. Ghassan Mteirek as Treasurer. The board of directors will meet again next week to review plans to gain membership and discuss programs that activate AmCham’s role in a more effective way.
Mr. Khalid Al Zayani, new president of AmCham made a presentation on the Chamber’s achievements since its establishment in April 2005 and plans for the current year. He highlighted the importance of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and spoke about the US trade mission organized by AmCham in December 2005 which he himself took part in.
“Being the first AmCham in the GCC region was an achievement, however we need to continue to seek the ways for further achievements and successes for this year and years to come”, commented Mr. Al Zayani. “US President George Bush has signed the FTA and we hope that by July 2006, the FTA will be finally ratified by our parliament to put it into practice”, he added.
Also during the meeting, members have confirmed the inclusion of a new category of members as “Diplomatic Members” where membership in this category will be open to various diplomatic missions, embassies, consulates and UN representative offices in Bahrain whose status and membership would enhance AmCham’s image and effectiveness. Members have also confirmed the inclusion of the “Affiliate Members” category where membership will be open to individual staff members of companies which are already members of AmCham. Each company member of the AmCham is represented by two staff members to AmCham’s activities; additional employees may apply for Affiliate Members under this category.
“We carry a big responsibility on our shoulders and need to work together with the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Economic Development Board and Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry to pave the way for the implementation of the FTA and promote it to Bahrain’s businesses. The FTA conference being held today is a start to this joint cooperation that highlights how FTA will also give, amongst other things, an opportunity to become an export point to the US”, Mr. Al Zayani concluded.
AmCham Bahrain took part in the FTA conference that was held today at the Sheraton Hotel. Mr. Al Zayani, new president of the Chamber gave a presentation on the establishment of AmCham in the kingdom and its role in FTA implementation in Bahrain.
