Communiqué December 2011 67, boulevard Massira Al Khadra • Third Floor • Apt. 6 • Casablanca • Morocco Tel (212) 522 25 07 36/37/51 • Fax (212) 522 25 07 30 • amcham@amcham-morocco.com AmCham site: www.amcham-morocco.com • FTA site: www.moroccousafta.com
Powerex, Greif Packaging Morocco, Benson Shoes and Nevo Technologies are the winners of AMATIA Awards 2011. The AmCham-OCP Moroccan-American Trade and Investment Awards (AMATIA) were given at the annual gala held on Saturday, December 3rd at the Sheraton Casablanca. AMATIA recognizes American and Moroccan businesses – large, medium and small – that have succeeded in bilateral trade and/or investment through well-designed and innovative strategies while demonstrating good corporate citizenship. The following companies are the winners of 2011 AMATIA Awards. 1. Powerex: U.S. investment and transfer of technological know-how Award. 2. Grief Packaging Morocco: U.S. Investment Award. 3. Benson Shoes: Export to the U.S. Award. 4. Nevo Technologies: Import of innovative products Award.
Inside this issue
Amcham Board members and Ambassador Kaplan at the gala ball.
Upcoming events
AMATIA Awards
1
AMATIA Awards
2
AMATIA Awards
3
Ads Corner
4
NAPEO Conference
5
U.S. – Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference Partners for a New Beginning’s- NAPEO January 17-18, 2012 Ryad Mogador Marrakech
AMCHAM NEWS
Powerex, Greif Packaging Morocco, Benson Shoes and Nevo Technologies are the winners of AMATIA Awards 2011. U.S. investment and transfer of technological knowhow Award was awarded to Powerex: Powerex is a U.S. company based in Tangier Zone Franche that specializes in Semi-conductor Assembly. Powerex has made an initial investment of 2 200 000.00 US $ and imported 1 300 000.00 US $ of products for its activity in 2010. The company has created 22 jobs in 2010 and 60 new jobs in 2011. Powerex growth plan includes an additional investment of 5 000 000.00 US $ and 10 000 000.00 US $ in export in 2011. Powerex promises 100% transfer of technological know-how in the semiconductor business from the United States to Morocco Human resources are placed at the center of intention; Powerex offers bi-yearly assessments and merit reviews for staff in addition to 62 hours per person both in technical and English language trainings. Powerex has a strong corporate citizenship program that supports two main NGOs in the region WALADI Foundation and WLADNA Association.
Mr. Jaouhari, GM of Powerex receiving the Award from the US Ambassador.
U.S. Investment Award to Grief Packaging Morocco: Greif is a Moroccan – American joint venture based in Casablanca that operates in the metal and plastic packaging industry. Greif has invested 10 504 774.00 Mor DH over the past 3 years and exported 31 197 808.00 Mor DH over the past 3 years. Greif offers the highest satisfaction for its customers through Customer Quality Online Software and has a sustainability project aiming at lowering impact on the environment. Greif has created 263 direct jobs, offers programs of Safety at work and career plans for its employees. Greif dedicates 130 days for training in safety, IT, quality, communication and languages in addition to literacy program for staff and free Medical check up to improve health. Greif donates to fire fighting department and child care association in Marrakech.
Mr. El Mosor, GM of Greif receiving the Award from the US Ambassador.
Selected trade shows in the USA for exporters
Selected trade shows in the USA for importers 2012 International CES (Audio/Visual Eq.) Jan. 10 th-13 th Las Vegas, NV Word of Concrete 2012 (Architectural.Constr.Engineering SVC) Jan. 24th - 27th Las Vegas, NV More information and contacts on this link: http://export.gov/ibp/ibp.asp?ReportID=IBP
Winter Fancy Food Show January 15th -17th, 2012 San Francisco www.specialtyfood.com Magic Show February 13th-15th, 2012 Las Vegas Convention Center www.magiconline.com
2
AMATIA AWARDS 2011 Export to the U.S. Award to Benson Shoes: Benson Shoes is based in Casablanca; it was created building on a half century of experience in entirely hand-sewn Military footwear. The company invested 1 900 000. 00 Mor DH over the past 3 years, exported 260 000.00 Mor DH in 2010 and projects to export 450 000.00 Mor DH in 2011. The company employs a team of 7 highly skilled craftsmen and selects the finest raw materials from all over Europe. Benson Shoes has been constantly innovating and has built a strong label locally and internationally. Shoes made by this company are classified as affordable luxury with selling prices between 200 and 350 US$. Benson shoes exports to more than 10 countries in specialized stores including a store on Madison Avenue in New York and soon a store in Los Angeles. The company uses franchising to develop its distribution networks. It has 7 franchisees in 5 countries, and a shop in Casablanca where customers can order customized shoes entirely hand painted and hand finished.
Mr. Benamour, Owner of Benson Shoes receiving the Award from the US Consul General.
Import of innovative products Award to Nevo Technologies: Nevo Technologies is based in Rabat, it distributes value added IT Solutions and equipment sourced directly from the USA. Nevo Tech has introduced 8 new U.S. brands into the Moroccan market such as Drobo, Cyberoam, Patton, Barracuda and Peplink. Nevo Tech invests massively in training Moroccan integrators and resellers in the newest American technologies. Nevo Tech has invested 330 000.00 US $, imported the equivalent of 550 000.00 US$ from the US in 2010 and projects to exceed 1 000 000.00US $ in 2011. Nevo has created 15 direct jobs and has a Go green policy and supports tree initiative in Morocco. Nevo Tech donates free software to Association Al Ihssane. The staff volunteered over 150 hours per year to the NGO High Atlas Foundation to support tree-planting in remote rural areas in addition to an in kind $12,000 per year for the use of office space, fax, supplies and printing.
Suzanne Moyer and Karim Bazaat, Owners of Nevo Technologies receiving the Award from the US Commercial Counselor.
New members Adecco Maroc Arzak Seeds Trade Anixter Morocco Benson Shoes C&O Marketing Delta Call Jones LaSalle New Talents Primo Consulting SAGFI
3
ADS CORNER
Executive Education Center (EEC) The Executive Education Center of Al Akhawayn University was created in 1998 at the initiative of the U.S. Government with an initial grant of US$ 3 million. The main goal of EEC is to contribute to higher education development as well as executive education in Morocco. Over the past 10 years, EEC developed successful programs including part time MBAs, Executive MBAs and soon two specialized masters. AmCham plays a key role in EEC by serving as equal partner to Al Akhawayn in the process of the development and the establishment of the center and exercising a joint control of the endowment fund. EEC Degree Programs Part Time MBA Executive MBA Masters (coming soon) Masters of Sciences in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Masters in International Trade EEC Continuing Education Program EEC has developed customized trainings that respond to specific needs of continuing education both in the private and public sector, some of these trainings include: Public Management training for Interior Ministry employees, Change Management training for Moroccan School Leaders, Elearning for Moroccan Professors, Communication skills as well as computer science skills. Information on Programs, contact Majdouline El Hassouni Tel: 0522 503 664 or email M.Elhassouni@aui.ma
4
NAPEO CONFERENCE
U.S. Maghreb Entrepreneurship conference AmCham is pleased to share information about the U.S. Maghreb Entrepreneurship conference scheduled for January 17-18, 2012 in Marrakech. The U.S. Maghreb Entrepreneurship conference is aimed at connecting young entrepreneurs and business executives from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and the USA. The conference will be attended by several VIPS including Madeleine K. Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State, David Arkless, President, Corporate & Global Affairs, Manpower Group, Jose Fernandez, U.S. Asst. Sec. of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs, Henrietta Holsman Fore, Chairman and CEO, Holsman International, Walter Isaacson, President and CEO of Aspen Institute. How can AmCham members participate? 1. Register for the conference at this link: http://napeo.ma/. 2. Sponsor the conference by choosing one of the various levels available. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask: Tara Shallal Program Assistant PNB-NAPEO The Aspen Institute Tel: 202.721.5589 Tara.shallal@aspeninst.org facebook.com/partnersforanewbeginning
Use the AmCham Website to promote your Company
You can advertise in the AmCham CommuniquĂŠ ADVERTISING
RATES
www.amcham-morocco.com
(Non-member display ads: add 40%)
Display your Corporate logos and banners on the newly designed AmCham website at DH 6000 per year for members and DH 10000 for non members. Logos and banners are shown continuously on the homepage of the website.
Quarter Page: DH 2500 Half Page: DH 5000 Business card size: DH 2250 Logo (1 year): DH 6000
Contact AmCham at Tel : 0522 25 07 36/37/51 <amcham@amcham-morocco.com>
Contact AmCham at Tel : 0522 25 07 36/37/51 <amcham@amcham-morocco.com>
5