The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a briefing with Mr. Barak Barfi, who will provide a discussion on the current outlook for Libya and Yemen.
Barak Barfi is a research fellow with the New America Foundation, specializing in Arab and Islamic affairs. His articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Foreign Policy, New Republic, Jane’s Islamic Affairs Analyst, and CTC Sentinel, in addition to being regularly featured in Project Syndicate. He is also a frequent commentator on CNN, BBC, MSNBC, Fox News, and France 24, and has testified before Congress about the threats posed by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. A former visiting fellow with the Brookings Institution, he lived in Yemen and spent six months in Libya during the revolution.
For more information please contact Amanda Dramberger at Amanda@bilateralchamber.org or 713-880-8168.
The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, partnering with LAGCOE and the U.S. Commercial Service, invites you to join us as we explore the many facets of doing business in Iraq. Our keynote speaker, Mr. Naufel Alhassan, Iraq Commercial Councilor, will provide insight and answer questions regarding business development in Iraq.
Investment opportunities in Iraq are tremendous and varying in type, amount, scope, sector, purpose, and structure. Potential investors have a virtual open landscape to develop projects that will fill the needs of Iraq’s expanding and demanding population.
Join business executives and government officials for a breakfast briefing to learn how to do business in Iraq and partner with the U.S. government on exports and create opportunities to seek potential multi-national business partnerships.
For more information, please contact Tomas Tobar at tomas@bilateralchamber.org or 713-880-8168.
Keynote Speaker: Francisco J. Sanchez, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade
Visionary Leadership Honoree: Clarence P. Cazalot Jr.,
Chairman & CEO, Marathon Oil Corporation
Goodwill Ambassador Honoree: H.E. Ali Suleiman Aujali, Ambassador of Libya to the U.S.
H.E. Ali Suleiman Aujali with the Chairman and Board
Members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Undersecretary Sanchez welcomes guests into Board of Advisors reception prior to the event
The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (BUSACC) hosted the 15th Annual MENA Welcome Reception on April 30th at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, TX.
- BUSACC welcomed over 1,000 attendees from around the world
- Foreign participation was comprised of senior – level delegations from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, United Kingdom, Vietnam and Yemen
- Keynote was addressed by Francisco J. Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
- Honorees included Clarence P. Cazalot, Jr., Chairman & CEO, Marathon Oil Corporation and H.E. Ali Suleiman Aujali, Ambassador of Libya to the U.S.
- Notable guests included H.E. Mohamed Thani Murshid Al Romaithi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, H.E. Hisham Sharaf Abdullah, Yemen Minister of Oil & Minerals, T.H. James B. Smith, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, T.H. Susan L. Ziadeh, U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, and senior leadership from Kuwait Petroleum, ADNOC, Al Mansoori, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Marathon Oil Corporation
Two international chambers of commerce came together in an effort to share resources and increase trade and cooperation between the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
In a symbolic ceremony marking the two organizations agreement to work together, Houston based Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (BUSACC) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ADCCI) agreed to "widen cooperation in the different economic fields between the USA and UAE."
David L. Phillips, Chairman of BUSACC, along with H.E. Mohammed Thani Murshid Al Rumaithi, Chairman of ADCCI signed the Memorandum of Understanding at Houston City Hall. Present were Saba Abashawl, Chief External Affairs Officer, of the Houston Airports System and Andy Icken, Chief Development Officer, for the City of Houston.
"This agreement comes at an important time for both our organizations history," said Phillips. "Trade between the U.S. and UAE has increased tremendously over the past several years and both our cities look to us to promote trade and economic development."
This agreement is the beginning of an effort to increase trade between Houston and UAE. Mayor Annise Parker is planning on a visit to Abu Dhabi later this year organized by BUSACC.
BUSACC has led several successful trade missions to the Middle East, hosting leaders such as Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Houston Mayors Lee Brown and Bill White.
T.H. James B. Smith, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs; and Nasir Abbasi, Commercial Consul (from right to left)
The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (BUSACC) hosted T.H. James B. Smith, United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs; and Nasir Abbasi, Commercial Consul, from the United States Embassy and the Consulate General, respectively on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Fifty executives attended the briefing to hear first-hand from Ambassador Smith about latest developments and project opportunities in Saudi Arabia, specifically in the Oil and Gas Sector.
Attendees included Mr. Ahmed Al-Zayyat, President of Aramco Services Company, Mr. John R. Brantley, Managing Partner of Bracewell & Giulliani, LLP., Dr. Mary Spangler, Chancellor of Houston Community College, Mr. Fareed Salem, Vice President Business Development MENA of ConocoPhillips, and Mr. Paul Travis, VP & Head of Corporate Finance at Riyad Bank Houston Agency.
This program is an annual series of briefings that BUSACC organizes to update its members about the best practices of doing business in Saudi Arabia. Support for this program derived from members of the chamber KBR and Bracewell & Giulliani, LLP.
Ambassador Smith discussed the economy of Saudi Arabia as the largest in the Middle East, with the largest proven oil reserves in the world at 261.8 billion barrels. With a budget surplus of $81.6 billion in 2011, business opportunities in the Kingdom are unprecedented. Best prospects are education and training, health and social affairs, water, agriculture, infrastructure, transport, communication, and municipality services.
The Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce partnered with the U.S. Commercial Service to host T.H. James B. Smith, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs; and Mr. Mohammed H. Belushi, Manager of Procurement & Logistics Department of Aramco Services for a Saudi Aramco procurement seminar on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012.
