"It is difficult to find enough superlatives to describe my feelings about our just concluded trip to the Middle East with the Mayors' Delegation. Amazing, Uplifting, Unforgettable, Incredible, and the list could go on and on..."
The Bilateral OTC Reception
Over 600 people attended the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber's (BUSACC) reception on May 5th to witness Aramco Services Company (ASC) receiving the 2008 Commercial Diplomacy Award, presented by David L. Phillips, Chairman of the Board BUSACC, to Brian MacBeth from ASC. Houston Mayor Bill White officially kicked off the event with welcome remarks. He talked about his own visit to the Arabian Gulf in April as leader of BUSACC's trade mission to the UAE and Qatar. He highlighted the long standing ties between Houston and the Arab world and commended the chamber for the work they do in fostering business and development between regions. 2008 is the 11th year the Bilateral has partnered with the US Commercial Service on the inbound trade mission attending the Offshore Technology Conference. There were 275 “official” delegates from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Iraq, and Libya. The US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, T.H. Ford Fracker, recognized Aida Araissi, Founder and Managing Director of BUSACC, with a plaque commemorating her work in bilateral business development.
In addition to the Arab delegations, there were energy executives from all over the world including Mayors and officials of energy producing cities and countries such as Stavanger, Norway, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad & Tobago, Angola, and Iraq. Also present were executives from the national oil companies of Mexico, China, Nigeria and other city and state officials from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce Annual OTC Reception:
From Left to Right:
Deya Elyas, Aramco Services Company
David Phillips, Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Brian MacBeth, Aramco Services Company
T.H. Bill White, Mayor of the City of Houston
