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A Message from the CEO
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As
2018 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on how fortunate I am
to be leading an organization blessed with so many opportunities over
this past year. After 20 years enhancing commercial and strategic
relationships between the U.S. and MENA as the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber
of Commerce; in this, our 21st year, we officially went global with the launch of the Bilateral Chamber.
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In our first year with
this expanded international focus, through our relationship with the United States Trade and Development Agency, we completed two reverse trade missions from China, one from Egypt, one from Turkey, and have secured contracts for upcoming inbound missions from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Argentina, and Peru.
We furthered our partnerships with world-renowned conferences including: ADIPEC, Arab Health, EGYPS, GASTECH, and WEFTEC; offered timely programming on Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Mozambique, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE; and honored notable thought-leaders and dignitaries including T.H.
Sylvester Turner, Houston Mayor, T.H. Douglas Silliman, U.S. Ambassador
to Iraq, and Dr. Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit.
Everything we do is done
with support from, and in support of, our incredible international
leadership network of members. A network which I am proud to say has
grown by nearly 30% over the past 12 months.
These opportunities did
not come without challenges. The Bilateral Chamber, not unlike many
companies in Houston, was displaced for more than seven (7) months due
to the after-effects of hurricane Harvey. However, the Bilateral team
did not miss a beat in spite of that set back. All of these
accomplishments - new markets, expanded partnerships, membership growth,
were all achieved by a dedicated group of professionals who don't know
the meaning of the word "excuse."
As the CEO of the
Bilateral Chamber, I can with 100% certainty, tell you that the
Bilateral Team delivers -in good times, but more importantly, in times
of challenge. I was both humbled and grateful as I witnessed the
dedication my staff exhibited to ensuring that the organization lived up
to its promise to provide the insight and access that matter most for
our members.
It is with this spirit
of appreciation and gratitude that I am pleased to share the following
glimpse back over our 2018 program lineup. Thank you to our esteemed Board of Advisors for their strategic input and valuable insight and thank you to our members.
I hope you enjoy this
Year In Review and on behalf of our entire team, I wish you a Joyous
Holiday Season and Prosperous New Year!
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Aida Araissi
Chief Executive Officer
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Honoring Distinguished Leaders at
Semi-Annual Private VIP Board Dinners
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21st Annual Private VIP Board Dinner during OTC Week
T.H. Sylvester Turner presented with 2018 Visionary Leadership Award
April 30, 2018
| The following Board Members and VIPs joined Bilateral Chamber leadership on stage to honor Mayor Turner (from left to right): |
- Aida Araissi,CEO, Bilateral Chamber
- Zin Smati, Chairman & CEO, LifeEnergy
- Jeffrey Miller, President & CEO, Halliburton
- Basil Abul-Hamayel, President, Aramco Services
- Dr. John Ardill, Vice President, ExxonMobil Upstream Ventures
- David L. Phillips, Chairman, Bilateral Chamber
- T.H. Sylvester Turner, Houston Mayor
- Cathy Easter, President & CEO, Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services
- John Brantley, Partner, Bracewell LLP
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T.H. Douglas Silliman presented with 2018 Goodwill Ambassador Award
Unfortunately as he was ready to depart for Houston to join us in accepting his award, Ambassador Silliman received orders to return to post. Fortunately, though he was unable to accept the award personally that evening, The Honorable Timmy Davis, Consul General for the U.S. Consulate in Basrah was able to attend and accept the award on Ambassador Silliman's behalf. Additionally the Ambassador was kind enough to prepare a taped address that we would like to share with you now.
Click here to view Ambassador Silliman’s remarks regarding being named 2018 Goodwill Ambassador Award. |
21st Annual Private VIP Board Dinner during ADIPEC Week
Dr. Daniel H. Yergin presented with Lifetime Achievement Award
November 13, 2018
| Left to Right: Martin Houston, Executive Chairman, Tellurian Inc.; David L. Phillips, Chairman, Bilateral Chamber; Dr. Daniel H. Yergin, Vice Chairman, IHS Markit; Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Senior Vice President, Saudi Aramco; James Rosenfield, Senior Vice President, IHS Markit; Aida Araissi, CEO, Bilateral Chamber |
The 21st Annual Private VIP Board Dinner in Abu Dhabi featured the inaugural presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to Dr. Daniel H. Yergin, Vice Chairman of IHS Markit and Co-Founder of CERAWeek.
The Bilateral Chamber’s Chairman of the Board, David L. Phillips noted, “It was my pleasure that evening to honor Dan in recognition of his lifelong contribution to the global energy industry and his extraordinary accomplishments over a distinguished career as a highly respected authority, if not ‘The Authority’, on energy, international politics, and economics.”
Joining Chairman Phillips in bestowing this honor to Dr. Yergin were Bilateral Chamber Board Members Dr. Mohammed Al Qahtani, Senior Vice President, Saudi Aramco, and Martin Houston, Executive Vice Chairman, Tellurian Inc.
Click here to view a video highlight of Dr. Yergin’s interview at ADIPEC 2018.
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Thank You to All of our 2018 Board Dinner Sponsors & Partners!
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Promoting Bilateral Relationships and Trade with USTDA
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We were very proud to organize a total of three USTDA Reverse Trade Missions (RTMs) this year. The first two were focused on China LNG & Gas Infrastructure, while the third was on Egypt Refineries Modernization.
We invite you to view some of the photo highlights from these RTMs and stay tuned for more USTDA - sponsored programming coming in 2019! |
China LNG and Gas Infrastructure Reverse Trade Mission
Houston, TX | Lafayette, LA | Washington, D.C. | January 24 - February 3, 2018
Houston, Texas | Washington, D.C. | March 17 – March 29, 2018
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The USTDA Egypt Refineries Modernization delegation with Bilateral Chamber leadership and T.H. Khaled Rizk, Consul General of Egypt.
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The business briefing held in Houston on December 6 convened more than 50 companies that learned about Egypt's $8.1 billion plan to modernize its refineries.
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Enhancing Strategic Partnerships with
the Energy Industry's Premiere Global Conferences
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Thanks to our long-standing partnership with DMG Events, our members and stakeholders were able to access some of the world’s most lucrative and notable platforms of business exchange. We invite you to view the 2018 ADIPEC, Gastech, and EGYPS video highlights below.
For more information on how your company can participate in the 2019 editions of these events, please email us at: programs@bilateralchamber.org.
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EGYPS - February 2018
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| The second edition of EGYPS, what is now considered North Africa’s largest and most influential oil and gas exhibition and conference noted 16,210 attendees, 376 exhibiting companies, 11 international pavilions, 1,081 delegates and 220 conference speakers. |
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ADIPEC 2018 convened 145,000 attendees, 2,200 exhibiting companies, 10,400 conference delegates, 15 international oil companies and 27 national oil companies all under one roof. This year it was estimated that $17.99 Billion of business was concluded onsite at the event.
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ADIPEC - November 2018
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GASTECH - September 2018 |
GASTECH, the world’s most prominent exhibition and conference for the gas, LNG and energy industries boasted 27,353 international attendees, 1,012 bilateral meetings, 109 countries in representation and 676 exhibitors.
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| It has been 18 years since Gastech was hosted in Houston and we are pleased to see its return in September 2019! Contact us at programs@bilateralchamber.org for more details on how to reserve your place at this premier event. |
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Launching New Initiatives
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Duqm Calls: Oman Investment Forum
October 11, 2018 |
Hosted by:
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In addition to this public business briefing, the delegation engaged with some of Houston's energy and logistics leaders including Oxy, Port of Houston Authority, and the Economic Alliance.
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Revitalizing the Coal Industry with Innovation:
JET's Desulfurization Technology Symposium
October 4, 2018
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This symposium was marked with robust dialogues and presentations on clean coal market trends and how JET's new desulfurization technology can transform the coal-fired power industry while revitalizing U.S. mining, improve environmental protection and enhance agricultural development.
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2018 Entrepreneurship Forum: A Case Study on Tunisia
July 6, 2018
In cooperation with:
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| Honored guests included (left to right): Nejib Zaafrani, President, TTU; T.H. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Secretary of State for African Affairs ( 2013-2017); H.E. Slim Feriani, Minister of Industry & SMEs, Republic of Tunisia; Aida Araissi, CEO, Bilateral Chamber; H.E. Faycal Gouia, Ambassador of Tunisia to the U.S.; H.E. Mohamed Tekaya, Former Ambassador of Tunisia to the U.S. |
| This event featured presentations by global entrepreneurs who discussed the development strategies needed to support Tunisia’s budding innovative ecosystem and how its applications of success will impact the rest of Africa. |
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Providing Sector & Country-Focused Programming
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Ambassador Insight Series: Qatar
H.E. Sheikh Meshal Al Thani's Visit to Houston
October 17, 2018
| Ambassador Al Thani’s trip to Houston was part of the Gulf country’s effort to support long-term disaster recovery projects. During his visit, His Excellency fulfilled Qatar’s pledge of donating $2.5 million each to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s new Fund To Reduce Homelessness and to the reopening of the historic Riverside General Hospital. |
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Leadership Insight Series: Iraq
The 5th Annual Iraq Energy Dialogue during OTC Week
May 1, 2018
The Deputy Minister for Upstream Affairs along with the DGs of Basrah Oil Company, South Gas Company, and Petroleum Contracting & Licensing Directorate, offered first-hand insights into tangible oil & gas development opportunities available for U.S. companies.
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Supported by:
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Partnership Insight Series: UAE
ADNOC Procurement Opportunities
May 1, 2018
Jasim Saeed, Manager of ADNOC’s Procurement Unit, engaged with nearly 200 suppliers and vendors who attended to learn more about ADNOC’s 2030 Smart Growth Strategy Initiative.
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Presented by:
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Leadership Insight Series: Algeria
10th Annual Algeria Energy Forum during OTC Week
May 2, 2018
VIP Guest Speakers Included:
H.E. Madjid Bouguerra
Ambassador of Algeria
to the U.S.
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Mark McCollum
President & CEO
Weatherford
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Arezki Hocini
President
Alnaft |
Salah Mekmouche
Vice President, E&P
Sonatrach |
In cooperation with:
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Africa Insight Series: Mozambique
Networking Reception with Mozambique LNG Delegation
September 21, 2018
More than thirty (30) companies from sectors including, but not limited to, energy, logistics, infrastructure, services, hospitality, and healthcare were present at this networking reception to meet with Mozambique's delegates who presented on the country's $60 Billion of planned investment and multitude of commercial procurement initiatives.
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In partnership with:
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Program sponsors:
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Advancing Cultural Understanding Through TEACH & MAL
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10th Annual Teachers Educating Across Cultures in Harmony
(TEACH) Bahrain Fellowship
November 15-21, 2018
During their active study tour across the Kingdom of Bahrain, our 2018 TEACH Cohort, representing educators from ten different U.S. States encountered invaluable opportunities for hands-on collaboration with regional learning authorities while immersing themselves in Bahrain's rich culture and heritage.
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| Stay tuned for the official 2018 TEACH Bahrain Fellowship Highlights Newsletter! |
11th Annual Bilateral Model Arab League Student Conference
February 16-18, 2018
Hosted by:
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In partnership with: |
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Registration is still open for the 2019 Bilateral Regional MAL Conference.
To register your university, please email Sukejna Kovacevic at sukejna@bilateralchamber.org. |
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