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Amcham Annual Report 2010

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Amcham Annual Report 2010 Dear amCham member: I am pleased to present you with a copy of AmCham Bulgaria Annual Report for 2010. The past year was an exceptional and exciting one for AmCham as we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Chamber, and that was also a celebration of the accomplish- ments of our member companies during all these years of doing business in the country. This report focuses on the past year AmCham activities, high level policy-driven meetings with government officials, stimu- lating networking events, promotion and profiling opportuni- ties for our members and partners. We have further developed our professional capacities and we believe we have become one of the important partners for the Bulgarian government and for the U.S. Embassy. The achievements of the Chamber above all find grounds in the strong relationship we have with you, our members, in your active involvement in our joint work, and in the dedica- tion to the mission and values we all share. We thank you for that and we are looking forward to working together for many more successes in 2011. Sincerely, Valentin Georgiev Executive Director Contents SOFIa, JaNUarY, 2011 Table OF CONTeNTS Address by the AmCham President page 3 Report of the Board of Directors page 6 Organizational Structure – Board of Directors and AmCham Team page 9 Key Performance Indicators page 10 Membership 00 page 12 AmCham 5th Anniversary page 18 AmCham Events 00 page 22 AmCham Committees & Working Groups page 33 Our Speakers page 36 International Cooperation page 43 Financial Report 00 page 44 AmCham Bulgaria Publications page 45 In the media in 00 page 46 Audit Report 009 page 49 MESSAGE OF THE AMCHAM PRESIDENT aDDreSS bY The amCham PreSIDeNT Dear member: It has been an honor and a privilege to have served as AmCham President for the past two years. As my term draws to a close, allow me to take the opportunity to reflect on both the past performance and the future outlook of our organiza- tion. I became involved with the local AmCham in Bulgaria shortly after my arrival in the country in the fall of 2004. My past work and history with AmChams in other countries where I worked before, motivated me and made me want to be involved in the local organization as well. It was a privilege for me to be elected on the Board. During my first term I served as a Treasurer, while in my second I was elected Vice- President. Whereas I was pleased to be able to serve from all these positions, what was important and rewarding for me, was the opportunity to meet and work with all of you. While we all recognize that we volunteer our time and effort in order to be elected and serve on the board of AmCham, nevertheless I and my fellow Board members understand and accept the responsibility, commitment and challenge that we assume in order to achieve the goals of this organization in Bulgaria and ultimately to serve you. Without a doubt, during all these years that I was fortunate to serve on the Board we had many accomplishments and successes. The Chamber ended 2010 with a membership of over 300 members strong. Throughout the year we organized numerous initiatives, meetings and events for our members. Although networking remains a very important part of what we do, we have also significantly expanded our activities in the last years to include various publications (our magazine currently boasts a history of more than 100 issues), commit- tees, international conferences, lobbying and many more. MESSAGE OF THE AMCHAM PRESIDENT It is a fact that we are now recognized as one of the leading business associations in the country and not only. AmCham Bulgaria has been repeatedly singled out as one of the best AmChams in Europe. We have also greatly supported and assisted in the expansion and growth of US and foreign businesses in Bulgaria, while in tandem with our strategic objectives the Chamber has also become an active and constructive partner to the Bulgarian Government in supporting various causes. These include US and foreign investments in Bulgaria, conducting advocacy for a more conducive business environment and enabling the imple- mentation of state-of-the-art business practices. Furthermore, the Chamber has been an active participant in consulting the Government on different pieces of legislation and strategic policy documents. We have had open discussions with the state administration and we are pleased to share a common view on the majority of issues and a mutual under- standing on how to address the critical challenges that the Bulgarian economy faces. Of course we would be remiss if we did not mention the help and facilitation the Chamber provided regarding the US- Bulgarian negotiations for the Treaty for Avoidance of Double Taxation between the two countries that entered into force in 2009. Finally, we should also note that we were able to buy and now own debt-free the AmCham offices at the Business Park, while we have provided and fostered a challenging, profes- sional and friendly working environment for our staff, all of which we are very proud of. With regards to the future, also from a selfish point of view, I would like to see the Chamber remain at the top of the local business organizations that enjoy the respect and admira- tion of the business, administration and society in general. I would encourage the Chamber to take initiatives and engage in activities and forums that would establish it as the regional leader that it is. I would even encourage it to work closer with the AmCham EU in Brussels and through targeted activities to both help further the Bulgarian cause in Brussels but also help AmChams in Europe organization further its cause, to the extent that it is feasible and allowed. In short, I think the time has come to AmCham Bulgaria to exert its influence and establish its presence beyond the borders of Bulgaria for the benefit of attracting primarily US invest- MESSAGE OF THE AMCHAM PRESIDENT ments in Bulgaria and of course present this country as an attractive investment destination. In closing, I would like to thank you all for the support and dedication which you have demonstrated to AmCham in gen- eral and me personally. I would also especially like to thank the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Commercial Service for their unwavering support and dedication to AmCham and to me personally. Although they never interfered with our affairs in any way, they were always ready to help us as and when help was requested. As management of AmCham I could not have asked for a more fair and proper stance. Last but not least, I would like to personally thank the Executive Director of AmCham and all the staff for their friendship and enthusiasm all these years. Although I have to step down both as President and Board member due to term limits, nevertheless, you know I will remain an active member of AmCham, ready and willing to help at all times. Thank you and I wish success to the new AmCham Board and all members in future! Yours sincerely, Anthony Hassiotis President 5 Report of the Board of Directors rePOrT OF The bOarD OF DIreCTOrS FOr The Year 2010 Dear amCham memberS: Looking back at 00 we can observe another very successful year for AmCham Bulgaria. What is more, 00 was an exciting and unique year for the Chamber as it marked its 5th year of opera- tion. We were proud to celebrate this anniversary with events and activities befitting the occasion. The favorable political and economic environment in 99 gave courage to several enthusiasts to establish the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. Swiftly, the Chamber became one of the leading business organizations in the country, promoting Bulgaria as a good place to invest in. In the last 5 years we have grown in membership from a dozen founding members to more than 00. But as time passed and our membership grew, we became more confident in our ability to demonstrate the value of being a member of AmCham, I am proud to say that today AmCham is perceived as one of the strongest business associations in the country with high reputation and integrity. All of you that participated in the 5th anniversary celebrations in May were able to experience again the power of AmCham and what makes our organization relevant and unique for our members and for the business, government and community leaders. During these celebrations we tried to place the emphasis on the future and what the country’s role should be in the bigger picture of the US-EU transatlantic relations. The special visit of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, Juan Verde demonstrated the acknowledgement of the U.S. Government to the efforts of the Chamber and its membership to foster the US-Bulgarian economic relations and to contribute to the development of the US-EU eco- nomic partnership. We received warm recognition from AmCham EU and from other AmChams in the region. We are also proud to report that on the occasion of the 5th year anniversary we were acknowledged and praised for our work by the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Lock, the U.S. Ambassador James Warlick, former U.S. ambassadors and other key political and com- mercial officers and personalities. Report of the Board of Directors This international scope of the Chamber’s activities was further enhanced by the unique opportunity to host in early October the meeting of the AmCham members with a high ranking delegation of U.S.
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