As de facto U.S. Ambassadors in the region, American Chambers of Commerce and their members partner with governments and domestic stakeholders to complement the U.S. government’s efforts to advance our economic and national security interests. Our first-hand knowledge and understanding of the value of U.S. engagement in the region’s trade and economic architecture gives us a unique perspective to add to ongoing discussions. Trade and investment dynamics in the region are evolving significantly and quickly in response to changing geopolitical realities, fluctuating economic opportunities, and growing global competition. Businesses from across the region now invest and innovate equal to those from the U.S. Read More
The Economic Impact Survey (EIS) is an undertaking by the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) with the purpose of quantifying its members’ contributions to the Malaysian economy. It incorporates a snapshot of challenges and opportunities faced in the post-pandemic era. Similar to previous editions (2018/19 & 2020/21), the 2022/23 survey includes multiple economic sectors represented within the AMCHAM membership for both manufacturing and services, with callouts for the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector, banking, insurance, and agribusiness, extraction & energy. 81 AMCHAM member companies completed this year’s survey. This survey is not exhaustive of the total financial impact of all American investment in Malaysia and acts as estimated contributions of prominent AMCHAM member companies. Click here to read the report.
The AAP 2024 DC Doorknock is open for registration This year’s AmChams of Asia Pacific DC Doorknock takes place from July 7-10, with meetings planned with leaders from the Administration, Congress, think tanks, Presidential campaigns and those that follow them. The delegation will be capped at 45 attendees, open to AmCham members based in the Asia-Pacific. Preferences will be given to the order in which expressions of interest are received through the respective AmCham. Doorknock Agenda Register your interest here
Virtual Door Knock 2024 Kick-Off: Staff of the US House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the US and the Chinese Communist Party Their report: Reset, Prevent, Build: A Strategy to Win America’s Economic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party January 23 at 1000 (Singapore) For the first in the series leading to the 2024 AmChams of Asia Pacific DC Door Knock, members will meet with the staff of the select committee to discuss their policy recommendations intended to reduce the United States’ economic and technological ties with China. The session is closed media and open only to any member of any AmCham in the region. You can register with here.
Each year a group of American Chambers from across Asia come together for a 3-4 day program in Washington D.C. The principle objective is to bring to the law and policymakers an on the ground perspective of American companies operating in this region. We also get the opportunity to meet key people in the U.S. Administration, members of Congress and the Senate along with some think-tanks focused on policy matters pertaining to Asia. AmCham Malaysia will be attending and invites its member companies to consider sending delegates. Typically there are about a dozen Chambers and about 50 delegates from member companies. The cost of participation is a delegate fee of USD 1250.00. Hotel and Airfare not included. The estimated date is the week of July 8 2024. If you are considering this and would like to learn more please add your name to this list: https://forms.gle/D56k8mTANEVoDyw77
The next in the AAP Virtual Door Knock series will provide an update on the legislation and regulation being contemplated for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Congress missed critical windows to install guardrails for the internet and social media, and it will likely not make that mistake again with AI. What is Congress concerned about? How might it legislate? What will the Biden Administration undertake to regulate AI under executive authority? And how might countries in Asia do the same based on past experience in the digital economy. Date and Time: June 23 at 0900 (Singapore) Speakers: Bruce Mehlman, Partner at Mehlman Consulting, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Technology Policy under President George W. Bush Deborah Elms, Executive Director and Founder of Asian Trade Centre, will discuss what we should be watching in Asia in terms of how governments here have regulated digital trade and commerce. Steven Okun, AAP Chair, CEO APAC Advisors (Singapore) and Senior Advisor McLarty Associates will moderate. Any AmCham member in the region can register via their local AmCham. Thanks to host The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore) Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei Jessica Cho Hannah Halim Crystal Kim Registration Link for AmCham members only: https://amchamsg.glueup.com/event/80730/
The AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Annual Washington DC Doorknock will be held from July 16-19, 2023. The AAP Door knock provides company representatives direct engagement with lawmakers and key stakeholders in all three branches of the U.S. government in addition to leading voices in various think tanks. This year’s door knock will be capped at 50 delegates (as a point of reference, last year’s delegation had 42 members). Information and Expression of Interest to join the can be found at this link Each registrant will identify the Chamber to which they are members and AAP will provide notice to each respective AmCham for each expression of interest received from their membership. Registration Deadlines: For Expressions of Interest received BEFORE Friday, 14 April, offers to join the delegation will be sent to the applicant on or before that date. To be confirmed as a delegate, the US$1,250 registration fee will need to be paid in full within 14 days thereafter, after which the place will be released. If more than 50 expressions of interest are received, offers to join will be based on forming a delegation with geographic and business sector diversity as well as being given to those members based in the Asia Pacific region. Once a registration is confirmed, that will count against the 50 cap. AAP highly recommends registering prior to Friday, 14 April. If the cap is not filled by 14 April, registrations will remain open until the cap is reached. If any members are interested in working on the 2-page door-knock delegate mission paper and the DC Door Knock awards, please do contact us.
“AmChams De Facto Ambassadors in the Region” Theme for 2023 George Drysdale and Shiumei Lin to Continue Serving as Vice Chairs SINGAPORE, March 22, 2023: AmChams of Asia Pacific, the umbrella organization of 25 American Chambers of Commerce, re-elected Steven Okun as Chair during its 2023 Annual Business Summit hosted in conjunction with the US Department of Commerce’s Trade Winds ASEAN, the largest annual U.S. trade mission and business development forum, becoming AAP’s first five-time Chair, having also served from 2012-15. “US businesses working through their American Chambers of Commerce are de facto Ambassadors for United States engagement in the region,” said Steven Okun. “AmChams represent the economic engagement and values US companies bring with them as sustainable investors, employers and stakeholders.” “We held a constructive dialogue with the AmChams of Asia Pacific at Trade Winds. I congratulate Steve and his team on another successful summit,” said the Honorable Marisa Lago, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. “We look forward to working with AAP and other trade associations and businesses operating across the Indo-Pacific to achieve the shared goals of enhancing supply chain resilience, facilitating digital transformation and accelerating the clean energy transition.” “Hosting our annual meeting with the U.S. Department of Commerce underscores the benefits trade and investment bring to workers in both the United States and across the region, and how US foreign direct investment and trade increases the benefits of U.S. led initiatives in the region,” Okun noted. “We thank AmCham Thailand and its Executive Director Heidi Gallant for serving as out host AmCham this year.” Coming next will be the annual door knock to Washington, DC, from July 16-19, 2023, to include meetings with key leaders from the Biden Administration, Congress, and the US Chamber of Commerce, as well as two working receptions, hosted each by McLarty Associates and King & Spalding. The AAP Board re-appointed the BGR Group as AAP’s Washington, DC representative for this year’s event. George Drysdale and Shiumei Lin were re-appointed as Vice Chairs. The Executive Committee includes Treasurer Catherine Castro from the Guam Chamber of Commerce and Secretary Travis Mitchell from the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.