AmCham Abu Dhabi and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a special event on June 8, 2011 at the InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi featuring Michael Camuñez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce.
The exclusive event highlighted the importance of strengthening the economic ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, and Mr. Camuñez expressed the Department’s commitment to this goal. Mr. Camuñez addressed a prominent crowd representing AmCham and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s member U.S. Companies, and Abu Dhabi’s industry leaders.
Mr. Camuñez outlined for the audience President Obama’s National Export Initiative and that this initiative is primarily to deepen and expand U.S. commercial engagement with its most important trading partners including the UAE and other nations in the Gulf Region. Mr. Camuñez stated that, “It is no coincidence that the U.A.E. has attracted the largest concentration of U.S. firms in the region. Approximately 750 American companies have offices in the U.A.E., serving both the Emirati and the broader regional market.”
Welcome remarks at the event were made by Elias Sayah, AmCham Abu Dhabi’s Vice Chairman, and AmCham Board member Gregory Golden introduced Mr. Camuñez. Following the keynote address was a lively Q & A session where AmCham and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council members and guests had the opportunity to directly address Mr. Camuñez with questions covering a wide range of topics. Mr. Elias Sayah and Mr. Gregory Golden presented Mr. Camuñez with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the AmCham and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s Board of Directors and membership.
Under Mr. Camuñez’s leadership, the Market Access and Compliance division of the International Trade Administration within the Department of Commerce leads the effort to open new markets for U.S. goods and services, identify and eliminate significant market access challenges, particularly non-tariff barriers, and help to monitor and enforce U.S. trade agreements and commitments to ensure that American companies, and the workers they employ, can compete on a level playing field.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
1) About AmCham Abu Dhabi:
AmCham Abu Dhabi (the trademark of the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi) is a member of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce. The AmCham mission is to promote commerce, investment and goodwill between the United States of America, the membership, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
2) About the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council:
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organization solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
3) About the U.S. Department of Commerce:
The U.S. Department of Commerce has a broad mandate to advance economic growth and jobs and opportunities for the American people. It has cross cutting responsibilities in the areas of trade, technology, entrepreneurship, economic development, environmental stewardship and statistical research and analysis. The Secretary of Commerce oversees a $6.5 billion budget and approximately 38,000 employees.
