2007 Press Releases
Press Release
U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt to Address Inaugural Meeting of the Newly Formed American Chamber of Commerce
Yaounde, June 12, 2007
U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt will honor the inaugural meeting of the newly formed American Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon as guest speaker, at the Hotel Hilton in Yaounde, on Tuesday June 12, at 1:00 P.M. The Douala-based American Business Association (ABA) achieved its status as the American Chamber of Commerce in Cameroon, on March 13, 2007. The ABA was originally formed as an Anglophone organization dedicated to local businesses that wanted to do business in English, with the United States and with U.S. companies in Cameroon. The American Chamber of Commerce will carry on the ABA tradition of promoting business with the United States, networking, and providing community-service events. Added to this, “AmCham” represents the interests of its members in helping to shape policies and to maintain a high-profile for decisions that affect business and investment between the United States and Cameroon. The newly-formed Chamber will also focus on much-needed assistance to Cameroonian export products and services to the United States. The evolution of increased exports, especially in the area of value-added products, is needed to help develop a commercial base in Cameroon and to ensure growth and economic progress. The American Chamber of Commerce plans to work hand-in-hand with the local business community and the Cameroon government to see that this foundation is laid.
In keeping with ABA policy, the Chamber will continue to give yearly grants to those organizations that show promise and to local businesses in need. Yearly, in Cameroon, these grants have run about 2,000,000 CFA. American Chamber of Commerce grant recipients in Cameroon this year are Hand in Hand, Green Eyes in Africa, La Fondation Ribisadt, and Orphelinat Saint Jean de Deido.
Following remarks by Ambassador Marquardt, members of the American Chamber of Commerce Board of Director will be on hand for a brief overview of the Chamber’s goals and objectives. Background information can be found on the Chamber’s current website address: www.claudejobin.com/amcham/index.htm.
For further information about tomorrow’s event, please contact the Information Section of the U.S. Embassy, Yaounde, Tel 22-20-15-00, x4162 or x4273.