AmCham 2013 Awards Dinner

The 19th Annual AmCham Awards Dinner will be held on May 30 at the Swissôtel Krasnye Holmy Moscow. This year's event will feature keynote speaker David Yakobashvili, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bioenergy Corporation, and will bring together the AmCham business community to announce the winners of the following prestigious awards: The AmCham Company of the Year | The AmCham SME of the Year | The AmCham Person of the Year | The AmCham Co-Chairs of the Year | The AmCham Friend of the Chamber of the Year.  Click here for more information about the event.

AmCham's 16th Annual Golf Tournament

The 16th Annual AmCham Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013 at Agalarov Golf and Country Club! Click here for more information.

Clarification On Draft Law No. 584587-5

AmCham has received clarification drafted by the RF Ministry of Natural Resources in response to our inquiry on potential risks for member companies (with local production) posed by draft law No. 584587-5 in terms of its future implementation: Russian | English.

AmCham Russia Holds 13th Annual Investment Conference

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held its 13th Annual Investment Conference on Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow.

Over 200 AmCham member company executives attended the Chamber's flagship policy event, which focused this year on Bolstering Business: Trade & Investment Opportunities 2013.

Click here to read The Moscow Times' front-page story on the conference.

Click here to watch Ambassador McFaul's address.

Click here to watch the entire first panel.

Speakers included Andrew Somers, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia; Michael McFaul, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation; Sergey Belyakov, RF Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Andrea Lockwood, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Eurasia, Africa, & the Middle East, U.S. Department of Energy; Elena Lebedinskaya, Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Planning of the RF Ministry of Finance; Glenn Waller, President of ExxonMobil Russia; Kevin O’Connor, Vice President of Global Compliance with United Technologies Corporation; Andrey Kurilin, Chief Operating Officer with Citi Russia; Ekaterina Trofimova, Member of the Management Board and First Vice President of Gazprombank; Romeo Lacerda, Director General of Mon'delez Rus (part of Mondelēz Intl., prior October 2012 – Kraft Foods Inc.); Roland Nash, Senior Partner and Chief Investment Strategist with Verno Capital; Peter Reinhardt, Partner and CIS Tax & Law Leader, Ernst & Young; Silviu Popovich, General Manager and Senior Vice President for PepsiCo Russia; Nikolay Pryanishnikov, President of Microsoft Russia; Pavel Betsis, Global Vice-President and General Manager of Russia and CIS with Cisco; Edi Perisic, CEO of Sodexo Russia; Jiri Lang, Managing Director of DuPont Russia; Michel Osinski, Strategic Business Development Manager for Central and Eastern Europe with 3M; Vladimir Osakovsky, Chief Economist on Russia and CIS with  Bank of America / Merrill Lynch Russia; and Douglas Busvine, Chief Financial Correspondent for Russia / CIS with Thomson Reuters.

AmCham Russia Announcement

On March 22, Andrew Somers and the Board of Directors announced that 2013 would be Mr. Somers final year as AmCham’s President & CEO. After twelve years leading the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and helping to transform it into Russia's most influential foreign business advocacy organization, the head of AmCham said that he would move into the private-sector full-time in 2014. He will remain in Moscow.

Mr. Somers has begun an association with Teneo Holdings, a global strategic advisory group.

“I look forward to leading AmCham throughout 2013 and working with our more than 700 member companies in promoting a business-friendly environment in Russia,” Mr. Somers says. “The strength of AmCham is the input, active participation, and collected experience and resources of all our member companies. I will continue to build on this strength in the year ahead in order to ensure continuity and the continued growth of our advocacy work for my successor.”

Mr. Somers will support the AmCham Board’s search committee to identify a successor to lead AmCham from 2014 onward.

Click here to read Kommersant's March 23, 2013 headline story - click here for the Kommersant article in English.

AmCham ICT Committee Meets Facebook & Russian Venture Company

During an AmCham Information & Communcation Technologies (ICT) Committee meeting held on March 20, Thomas Myrup Kristensen, Head of Public Policy for Facebook Nordic, spoke on Facebook's presence and future plans in Russia, and Igor Agamirzian, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Russian Venture Company, discussed the growing importance of engineering outsourcing to Russian companies. The event, which was moderated by ICT Committee co-chairs Ron Lewin, Managing Director of TerraLink, and Gary Fowler, Adjunct Professor with the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, attracted a capacity turnout of over 50 AmCham member company executives. Click here for more photographs from the event.

AmCham Social Networking at DataSpace

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia thanks DataSpace for hosting AmCham Social Networking on March 14.

The event was organized by the Chamber in conjunction with its ICT Committee.

Over 75 AmCham executives participated in the evening reception, which included exclusive group tours of the DataSpace colocation data center facilities.

[photograph: DataSpace Founder & CEO David Hamner greeting AmCham guests]

U.S. Commerce Department Trade Experts Discuss WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held a policy round table on January 30 on the theme "New Opportunities for Russia - U.S. Trade and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)."

Trade experts Bryan O’Byrne (Senior Technical Barriers to Trade and Multilateral Affairs Expert, U.S. Department of Commerce), Joe Wereszynski (Russia and Eurasia Country Desk Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce), and Leslie McDermott (Program Manger, American National Standards Institute) briefed AmCham executives on trade rights under the WTO TBT agreement, possibilities for U.S.-Russian standards cooperation, the benefits for companies under the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s services for U.S. exporters.

The event was moderated by AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers and held at the AmCham headquarters in Moscow.

EBRD Chief Economist Erik Berglöf Presents Diversifying Russia Report

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held a breakfast briefing on December 14 with Erik Berglöf, Chief Economist & Special Adviser to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD).

Speaking to an audience of AmCham member company executives, Professor Berglöf presented the main points of the EBRD's newly-published "Diversifying Russia" report, which lists obstacles holding up diversification of the Russian economy, points to the important role of the state in changing the economic model, and explains why a state-led approach to innovation that does not engage with the private sector from the earliest stages runs a high risk of failure.

The event was hosted by the Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel in Moscow and moderated by AmCham Board member Vaclav Harant.

[photograph: Erik Berglöf, Chief Economist & Special Adviser to the President, EBRD]

Kostroma Oblast Governor Sergey Sitnikov Meets With AmCham

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held a regional briefing on December 11 with Sergey Konstantinovich Sitnikov, Governor of Kostroma Oblast.

Governor Sitnikov led a delegation of senior officials, including Nikolai Zhuravlev, member of the RF Federal Council; Deputy Governors of Kostroma Oblast Pavel Alekseev and Evgeniy Lishtovniy; and head of the information-analytical department of the Kostroma Oblast Administration Irina Zhabko.

Following a presentation by Governor Sitnikov on investment opportunities in Kostroma Oblast, Senior Vice-President of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Connie Watson described his company's successful experience of cooperation with the Kostroma Oblast Administration and operating in the region.

The briefing was moderated by AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers and hosted by the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel in Moscow.

[photograph from left: Sergey Sitnikov, Governor of Kostroma Oblast; Andrew Somers, AmCham President & CEO]

2012 AmCham Annual Holiday Party

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia thanks the more than 200 guests who attended the AmCham Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at the InterContinental Moscow-Tverskaya. Guests enjoyed a gourment multi-course meal and a wealth of top-class entertainment and music including the Xmas Tree Band, Acapella Express, and Anna Sizova. The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception and an array of raffle prizes were held throughout the evening.

AmCham would like to extend a special thanks to the 2012 Holiday Party sponsors.

Andrew Somers Participates in SelectUSA Seminar

AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers participated in a high-level SelectUSA investment seminar for Russian business leaders on November 13.

The event, organized by the U.S. Commercial Service Moscow office and held at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence Spaso House, featured tax, legal and banking experts addressing an audience of senior Russian business leaders. U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Michael C. Camuñez participated in the event.

SelectUSA seeks to highlight the advantages the United States offers as a location for business and investment and to provide easy access to federal-level programs and services related to business investment. SelectUSA is designed to complement the activities of U.S. states—the primary drivers of economic development in the United States.

RF Deputy Minister of Finance Sergey Shatalov Briefs AmCham

[photograph (left) - Sergey Shatalov | photograph (right) - Andrew Somers, Sergey Shatalov]

AmCham held a briefing on November 2 with Sergey Shatalov, RF Deputy Minister of Finance. Mr. Shatalov briefed over 120 AmCham executives on the most recent and planned changes to Russian tax policy designed to promote business development in the short- and medium-term.

The event was moderated by AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers and held at the Baltschug Kempinski Hotel in Moscow.

AmCham Holds 12th Annual Investment Conference

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held its 12th Annual Investment Conference on October 10 at the Lotte Hotel Moscow. The theme of this year's conference was "Shaping Russia's Business Climate."

[photograph from left: AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers, RF Deputy Minister of Industry & Trade Gleb Nikitin,  RF Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Ryabkov, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation Michael McFaul]

Over 30 high-level speakers participated in panel discussions on issues such as the regulatory and investment environment in Russia, new ways to enhance the effective enforcement of business rights, the principal areas of economic development in the medium term, sectors identified by the Russian Government as being key to economic development and private investment, access to financing, key sectors for an effective economy, and the return of Russia's regions to the growth curve.

For event coverage, photographs, and presentations, please click here.

Deputy Mayor of Moscow Cites Andrew Somers in the Drive to Protect Entrepreneurial Rights

In a Vedomosti interview on September 12, Deputy Moscow Mayor cited Andrew Somers for his important role in the drive to protect entrepreneurial rights. The interview is available on the Vedomosti website.

AmCham at the 2012 APEC Summit in Vladivostok

An AmCham delegation led by AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers actively took part in the 20th Annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok last week, and during which U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and RF Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signed several agreements of cooperation. Click here for more information.

United States Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk Addresses AmCham

AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers hosted an AmCham breakfast briefing on June 7 with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Ron Kirk. Ambassador Kirk made a presentation entitled On The Threshold Of Russia's World Trade Organization (WTO) Membership, before answering questions on Russia's accession process, the potential impact of Russia's WTO membership on U.S. businesses, and the importance of repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment.

[photograph from left: AmCham President & CEO Andrew Somers, USTR Ambassador Ron Kirk]

Media Coverage: Associated Press

Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin Addresses AmCham Members

During a special AmCham membership meeting held on April 17 at Petrovsky Palace in Moscow, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin addressed AmCham members on his vision for Moscow’s development. [photograph from left: Sergey Sobyanin, Mayor of Moscow; Andrew Somers, AmCham President & CEO - click here for more photographs]

Media coverage of the event: The Moscow Times | The Moscow Post | TV Center | VM Daily | Lenta.ru | Realty | Capital of the Country | Echo Moscow

Moscow City Government coverage: transcript of Mayor Sobyanin's speech | photographs

RF President Medvedev Awards Order of Friendship to Andrew Somers

On Monday, June 20, 2011, at his Gorki residence, Russian Federation President Dmitry Medvedev presented Andrew B. Somers, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia, with the Order of Friendship, the highest Russian state order that can be bestowed on a foreign citizen.
 
 Upon receiving the Order, Mr. Somers said to President Medvedev: “It is with the utmost respect and appreciation that I accept this great honor of the Russian Federation. This generous acknowledgement of my efforts with the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia in supporting you, President Medvedev, and President Obama, in your historic mission to create a lasting stable political relationship, founded in large part on a much deeper trade and investment engagement, is most warmly received. Your forceful determination, President Medvedev, to innovate and modernize the economy, to minimize corruption, and to maximize rule of law is fundamental to a thriving investment climate.”
 
 The Order of Friendship is awarded to individuals for their significant contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between nations and nationalities, for notable achievements in developing the economic and scientific potential of Russia, for exceptional work in bringing together and mutually enriching national cultures, and for strengthening peace and friendship between countries. The Order of Friendship was instituted by the RF President on March 2, 1994.

U.S. Vice President Addresses AmCham

The American Chamber of Commerce in Russia held its 11th Annual Investment Conference on March 10, 2011 at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The conference featured a keynote address by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden entitled Building On The Reset. Click here for more information, including media coverage of the event and the presentations made during the panel discussions. To read media coverage of the Vice President’s speech to AmCham, please click on one of the following: The New York Times; The Moscow Times; The Wall Street Journal; The Washington Post; Voice of America; and RIA Novosti.

Andrew Somers on BBC Promoting Regional Investment

Please click to view a BBC Russia Business Profile featuring Andrew Somers, President & CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.

Moscow Business Summit

Click here to download AmCham's publication on the Moscow Business Summit.

U.S. President Barack Obama and RF President Dmitri Medvedev addressed the Moscow Business Summit at the historic Manezh exhibition hall on July 7, 2009. The Business Summit featured an unprecedented number of US and Russian global CEO participants in 3 panels aimed at making recommendations for governmental action to spur trade and investment.

One-Window for Russian visas & work permits | Premium Processing for U.S. visas

An improved one-window service for work permits & related documents is in place for AmCham member companies. This AmCham service is free of charge. Representatives of AmCham member companies should bring their documents to the AmCham office at Dolgorukovskaya 7, 14th floor (Ул. Долгоруковская 7, 14ый этаж). An authorized, dedicated AmCham member of staff collects submitted documents, transfers them to the Federal Migration Service offices, and transfers processed applications back to the AmCham office for collection by members.

In cooperation with the U.S. Embassy Consular Section AmCham has implemented a system to expedite the U.S. visa application process for AmCham members. Premium Processing allows AmCham member company employees to obtain a visa within five business days or less.

Front Page Archive

Looking for an article you saw on the front page of the AmCham website but can no longer find it? Check out the AmCham Front Page Archive.