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of the AmCham’s annual Doorknock, which goes back some 20 years. He noted, “These Doorknocks serve the dual purpose of communicating our message while learning about America’s preoccupations and intentions, and therefore help us determine the best courses of action for our business community.”

Also in March, NUSACC hosted a second “sister chamber,” the American Business Group of Abu Dhabi (ABGAD). NUSACC helped to organize a reception for the group at the UAE Embassy, marking the first major public event hosted by H.E. Saqr Ghobash, the UAE’s new Ambassador to the United States.

Kim Childs, Executive Vice President of ABGAD, led the Abu Dhabi AmCham delegation to the United States with a view to raising awareness about the UAE in the aftermath of the DP World episode.

Humanitarian and Community Programs

The month-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah resulted in widespread suffering and extensive damage to Lebanon’s infrastructure. In cooperation with the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, NUSACC helped to organize several humanitarian fundraisers for Lebanon that heightened awareness among Americans and provided much-needed emergency relief to victims of the conflict.

NUSACC was also called upon by the U.S. Department of State to support the U.S.-Lebanon Partnership Fund, a private sector initiative to provide resources to assist reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. The Partnership Fund is being administered by Global Impact, a not-for-profit organization, with input from an advisory committee consisting of four corporate leaders: Craig Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation; John Chambers, President and CEO, Cisco Systems; Yousif Ghafari, Chairman, Ghafari Inc.; and Dr. Ray Irani, Chairman, President and CEO, Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

In 2006, NUSACC also supported a wide variety of community groups, including the Mosaic Foundation, a charitable and educational organization founded by the spouses of Arab Ambassadors to the United States.

H.M. Queen Rania of Jordan and First Lady Laura Bush with Sesame Street characters Khokha and Elmo at the Mosaic Foundation Gala.

First Lady Laura Bush and Queen Rania of Jordan joined NUSACC and officials from around the world at the Mosaic Foundation’s Ninth Annual Benefit Gala – “Education: A Two Way Street” – to benefit Sesame Workshop.

Queen Rania praised the collaboration between Mosaic Foundation and Sesame Workshop, known as the Sesame Mosaic project, calling it a “wonderful passport to understanding, for the Arab and American children alike” and a “colorful project” that “can serve as a cultural embassy – communicating the vibrant heritage and diversity of the Arab world.”

First Lady Laura Bush concluded, “President Bush and I thank you for your dedication and your service, and we especially appreciate your commitment to strengthen the ties between America and the peoples of the Arab world.”

Libya’s youth warm up to U.S.-Libya economic relations at the Tripoli International Fair.

OUTREACH TO THE ARAB WORLD

In a wide variety of ways – including delegations, conferences, and special projects – NUSACC played a key role in serving as a bridge to the Arab world in 2006.

Business Delegation to Libya

In April, NUSACC and the Corporate Council on Africa led the largest and highest-level U.S. business delegation ever to visit Libya. Companies participating in the trade and investment mission generated nearly $300 billion in revenues last year. Delegation members represented four sectors in particular: Information and communications technology, aviation & aerospace, energy & engineering, and healthcare.

NUSACC’s David Hamod, Mohamed Salah Elmansouri, Chairman of the Libyan Businessmen Council, Barrett Hightower of the Corporate Council on Africa, and Mohamed Kanoun (right), Chairman of the Libyan General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, following their panel discussion.

“Our delegation’s meetings with senior government and business leaders in Libya should send a clear message that U.S. companies remain keenly interested in that emerging market,” said David Hamod, President & CEO of NUSACC. “This visit »