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www.amcham.ru/spb/about/summary2008

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Jan 12, 2009: Results 2008

Dear AmCham members and friends:

In the very beginning of the year 2009, we are traditionally summing up AmCham St. Petersburg’s 2008 results.

In 2008, AmCham St. Pete has grown up to 183 members representing virtually every major foreign investor in the region to become the largest and most influential, truly international business association in Northwest Russia. (The complete list of members is available from www.amcham.ru/_images/upload/members_list.pdf)

In the year 2008, the Chapter has held over 100 events of various kinds, which means that it has been meeting with its members every other working day. (For the complete list of events and activities, visit www.amcham.ru/spb/news/amcham)

In 2008, AmCham St. Petersburg—within the full scope of its activities—has made major advances in several directions of top importance:

lowering administrative burdens by identifying legal acts, norms and regulations that hamper normal business operations for further delivery to authorities at different levels;
continuing the direct dialog with governments of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast;
establishing direct dialog with regional offices of the federal agencies: Consumers’ Rights and Sanitary Inspection (Rospotrebnadzor); Ecological and Technological Inspection (Rostechnadzor); Ministry of Emergency Situations’ State Fire Inspection (Gospozhnadzor); Federal Customs Service (FTS) and its Northwest Directorate (SZTU); Federal Migration Service (FMS); Federal Taxation Service (FNS); State Labor Inspection (Gostrudinspektsiya); Post of Russia; Federal Arbitration Court; Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS); etc.—to identify the challenges that investors face when dealing with those authorities and suggest ways for improvement;
participating in drafting amendments to St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast investment legislation;
resolving work permits issues of AmCham members with Moscow HQ;
sharing member companies’ international expertise with regional authorities to resolve such challenges of the region as lack of local suppliers for the fast-growing manufacturing sector; need for innovative development; lack of qualified labor force for the booming industries (mainly qualified blue-collar workers and IT specialists); energy tariffs; engineering infrastructure development, etc.;
handling individual issues of our member companies.

Recognizing the importance of AmCham St. Petersburg’s initiative on lowering administrative burdens, St. Petersburg Government established a special Council for Entrepreneurship Development and invited the Chapter—the only foreign business association—to join it. The Council brings together all the federal agencies involved and is ultimately advocating them to abandon obsolete norms and introduce clear and efficient procedures.

In the New Year 2009, AmCham St. Petersburg will not only continue pursuing the 2008 initiatives, but—considering the quickly changing environment during the economic crisis—will be looking for every opportunity to help member companies cut operations costs, increase efficiency and overcome the challenges they face.

We cordially welcome your suggestions and initiatives, as best ideas have always come from you, AmCham members!