February 24: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with U.S. Chamber of Commerce's U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosts a private roundtable breakfast on the outlook of the U.S.-Egypt relationship featuring the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, The Honorable Jonathan R. Cohen
In February, AmCham Egypt, Inc., in partnership with the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosted a roundtable breakfast at the U.S. Chamber headquarters in Washington with the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Jonathan Cohen. During the early months of his tenure, Ambassador Cohen demonstrated steadfast support for the American business community in Egypt, having spoken at the Egypt Council's U.S-Egypt Future Prosperity Forum in Cairo during his first day on the job in late 2019. The Ambassador won the support of U.S. and Egyptian companies alike, in addition to that of the Government of Egypt, in a short period of time, making gains on many mutual priorities in the bilateral relationship.
April 21: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosts a teleconference on the macroeconomic outlook in Egypt featuring David Cowan, Managing Director & Africa Economist, Citibank
In April, AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosted a teleconference on the macroeconomic outlook in Egypt featuring David Cowan, Managing Director & Africa Economist of Citibank. During his remarks, Mr. Cowan pointed out how Egypt has made a strong reform effort in recent years and entered the downturn in an economically much stronger position than was the case in 2014-15. He also highlighted how although Egypt is a significant importer of hydrocarbon products, in recent years gas exports have risen sharply pushing it back into a broad energy balance. Finally, Mr. Cowan predicted Egypt’s real GDP growth will slow due to the pandemic but will remain positive and a recovery is expected in 2021.
June 10: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in Cooperation with AmCham Egypt hosts Congressman Jeff Fortenberry for a briefing and discussion on “The US Congress and Egypt”
In June, AmCham Egypt, Inc. hosted a Limited – Members Only – Special Briefing with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) via Zoom. Congressman Fortenberry addressed “The U.S. Congress and Egypt”, recognizing his commitment towards advancing the U.S. - Egypt bilateral strategic relationship. During his remarks, Congressman Fortenberry shared his perspective on different issues related to bilateral trade, investment and IPR. He also outlined what he sees as the key role of business in ensuring societal well-being and as a key stabilizing agent to ensure that all aspect of society can flourish including arts, society, giving an example of Egypt's heritage and ancient history. He added that AmCham Egypt has a vital role to play in advancing the role of business that should go beyond being transactional and the importance of creating interdependence between business and society as whole. Congressman Fortenberry is a strong advocate for Egypt and is the founder and chairman of the Egypt Caucus, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, and a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. Congressman Fortenberry spares no time or effort to meet with AmCham members during AmCham's Annual Doorknock Missions to Washington D.C.
June 21: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in cooperation with AmCham Egypt hosts Lieutenant General Charles Hooper for a briefing and discussion on "Egypt-U.S. Relations: How our Security Cooperation Boosts our Shared Interests"
Lieutenant General Charles Hooper, Director, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
In June, AmCham Egypt, Inc. hosted a Limited – Members Only – Special Briefing with Lieutenant General Charles Hooper, Director, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) via Zoom Webinar. General Hooper outlined key ways in which his organization supports the bilateral military cooperation between the United States and Egypt, adding that four values define DSCA's mandate; transparency, responsiveness, integrity and commitment. He also outlined ways in which the DSCA executes its responsibilities with the U.S. government, building strong relations with the defense industry and ensuring fair competition. General Hooper shared that his organization enjoys a very good relationship with the Egyptian Embassy in Washington DC, emphasizing that the United States is interested in a long-term relationship with Egypt and its business community. LTG Hooper is the senior U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer and has almost 16 years of security cooperation experience. He served previously as the Senior U.S. Defense Official/U.S. Defense Attaché and Chief, Office of Military Cooperation, at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
June 24: AmCham Egypt, Inc. & the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosts a webinar and strategic planning session featuring His Excellency Yasser Reda, Ambassador of Egypt to the United States & The Honorable Jonathan Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt
In June, AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with the U.S. Egypt Business Council hosted a board meeting and strategic planning session. Aimed at bolstering the Council’s program of work for the remainder of 2020 in light of new challenges facing the global community in response to COVID-19, the event featured keynote remarks by the Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency Yasser Reda and the U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, the Honorable Jonathan Cohen. During the planning session, a number of member representatives provided sectoral updates and their outlook and insights on Egypt’s recovery efforts as a result of COVID-19.
June 29: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in cooperation with AmCham Egypt hosts a Special Virtual Briefing with New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Thomas Friedman addressing: "The United States Outlook on the World Today"
July 27: AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with AmCham Egypt & the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosts a virtual event on "EBRD in Egypt - Building on over seven years of success"
- Heike Harmgart, EBRD Managing Director, Southern & Eastern Mediterranean Region (SEMED)
- Bassem Kamar, EBRD Regional Lead Economist
- Infrastructure: Sue Barrett, Director, Head of Infrastructure, TMEA
- Energy: Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Director, Head of Energy, EMEA
- Digital and Telecommunications: Ho-Shik Lim, Associate Director, ICT
In July, AmCham Egypt, Inc. in cooperation with AmCham Egypt and the U.S.-Egypt Business Council held a webinar on EGRB in Egypt—building on over seven years of success. The event featured a highly informative panel of experts who overviewed EBRD’s key priorities which include increasing Egypt's private sector competitiveness by bringing international best practices and expanded financing options for small and medium business, particularly for women and young Egyptians. EBRD also aims to improve the quality and sustainability of Egypt’s public utilities through financing private sector and commercialization efforts, in addition to those for supply chain development and logistics support.
July 28: AmCham Egypt, Inc. & the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosts a virtual event on "Egypt's Energy Future" featuring His Excellency Eng. Tarek El Molla Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Arab Republic of Egypt
In July, AmCham Egypt, Inc. in partnership with the U.S.-Egypt Business Council hosted a virtual webinar on Egypt’s Energy Future featuring His Excellency Eng. Tarek El Molla, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources for the Arab Republic of Egypt. During the keynote presentation that followed, HE Minister El Molla noted that measures taken by the Government of Egypt to combat COVID-19 have not had a significant adverse effect on O&G production and operations. In fact, the Ministry has finalized twelve new agreements in the wake of the pandemic –all of which represent significant achievements in support of Egypt’s goal of becoming a regional energy hub.