Newsletter by AmCham Morocco

Communiqué January 2012 AmCham Upcoming Events 2012 Dear Members, I am pleased to share our core event program for 2012. Additional events including luncheons will be planned around these themes. These events are designed to respond to our mission which is to provide support to American and Moroccan businesses, seeking to develop new and existing business opportunities in each other’s market through advocacy, information sharing, providing networking opportunities and business support services. To have a better understanding of the membership needs in terms of services and events, we conducted a membership survey in 2011. Survey results showed that networking, advocacy, trade missions and increased business opportunities are the main priorities for our members. To meet the desire for regular networking opportunities between our members we will hold several Mixer events. We launched our first successful event on February 9th at the Churchill Club and I thank everyone who was able to join us. We will continue to hold our annual Golf Challenge sometime in June which is also an important fundraising event. In terms of Advocacy, we are organizing an anti-counterfeit campaign for 2012 with a particular focus on the pharmaceutical and hygiene product sectors. The campaign will be launched on March 15th in partnership with the US Embassy, CGEM, OMPIC and AFAK and will consist of roundtables, testimonials, spots on main radio stations as well as a Facebook page called “ Stop the Fake”. On the occasion of Intellectual Property Rights we will hold a roundtable on software and DVD piracy day on April 26th. For Trade Missions, we will host a Cross Sectoral Trade Mission in Morocco led by the President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. on March 21st. For Government outreach, we will organize business briefings with several key ministries with a targeted agenda which we will announce in due course. In the fourth quarter, we are planning to host a regional U.S. businesses conference to promote Morocco as a platform for MENA, Europe and Africa. We’ll say farewell to 2012 and welcome the New Year with our annual Amcham Gala Ball in December. We are here to respond to your suggestions so please share your thoughts with us. More details will follow. I look forward to seeing you at these events. Sincerely, Walter Siouffi AmCham President

Upcoming Events

Inside this issue AmCham Events 2012

NAPEO Conference

Anti Counterfeit Campaign

Plastics Showcase

Ad Corner

AmCham Services

Anti Counterfeit Day March 15, 2012 US Chamber of Commerce Trade Mission to Morocco March 21, 2012 IPR Day April 26, 2012

AMCHAM NEWS

U.S. - Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference in Marrakech The 2nd annual U.S. – Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference took place in Marrakech on January 16-18, 2012. The conference is a regional followon to the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship held in Washington, D.C., in April 2010 and serves as the annual partnership convening event for the U.S. – North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO), part of the global alliance Partners for a New Beginning (PNB). The NAPEO Morocco advisory board was the host of the conference in coordination with the Aspen Institute, the support of the U.S. Department of State and the PNB-NAPEO network. PNB-NAPEO brings together business, nongovernmental, and public organizations in the United States and North Africa to create regional partnerships that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation. The inaugural U.S. – Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference was held in Algiers, Algeria, in December 2010. Rabia El Alama and Madleine Al Bright

Marrakech conference brought together North African business leaders and entrepreneurs, aspiring youth entrepreneurs, business leaders of the North African Diaspora, along with U.S. business leaders and young entrepreneurs. The promotion of intra-Maghreb relations and the improvement of access to capital and partnerships with Maghreb Diaspora entrepreneurs were among the key goals of the Conference. No less than 60 speakers spoke at the event, including former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, the President of the Aspen Institute, Walter Isaacson, as well as the President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy, Hernando de Soto. Participants called for the creation of a regional market, a MaghrebAmerican Council for the Promotion of Investment in the region and more scientific research and training expertise at the technical and scientific levels. At the conclusion of the conference, the Aspen Institute announced a $ 4 million grant to assist entrepreneurship in North Africa. Rabia El Alama, Assistant Secretary Fernandez and Fay Baydoun, ArabAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Dearborn, MI

Selected Trade Shows for Exporters

Selected Trade Shows for Importers Natural Products Expo West/Engredea March 8-11, 2012 Anaheim, CA, United States http://www.expowest.com

Magic Show February 13-15, 2012 Mandalay Bay Convention Center , Vegas www.magiconline.com

The International Plastics Showcase (NPE2012) April 1-5, 2012 Orlando, Florida. http://www.npe.org

Summer Fancy Food Show June 17-19, 2012 Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. . http://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-show/ summer-fancy-food-show/

International Franchise Expo June 15-17, 2012 Jcaob Javits center, New York http://www.ifeinfo.com/

New York Gift Fair August 18 - 23, 2012 Jacob Javits Center, New York http://www.nyigf.com

AMCHAM NEWS

AmCham to Launch Anti Counterfeit Campaign in Partnership with US Embassy, CONPIAC, OMPIC, Afak and UniConso Counterfeiting is a constantly growing phenomenon internationally and Morocco is no exception. Today, the range of counterfeit goods in circulation on the Moroccan market continues to diversify. The food, toys, cosmetics, spare parts, tobacco, even drugs, medical equipment, wellness products, and hygiene are now involved, directly threatening the safety and health of consumers. Counterfeiting benefits networks of smugglers who cause very serious damages to consumers, the state and businesses. It is in this regard that AmCham in collaboration with the US Embassy, CONPIAC, OMPIC, AFAK and UniConso will launch in March an awareness campaign through media and roundtables to educate consumers about the risks incurred by the use of counterfeit drugs

Amcham members, US Embassy, CONPIAC and OMPIC discusing the Anti Counterfeit Awareness Campaign.

and hygiene products and the cost to the State and the businesses.

AmCham welcomes a New Board Member

Join us in welcoming New Members E-Commerce Conseil (E-Commerce, PayPal Partner and Magento Partner) Mr. Ismail Khachani EMAA (School of Management and Business) Mr. Tarik Lafou DuPont Nemours Morocco (Industrial products and services) Mr. Xavier Ciurana

Yassine Bouajaja joined the AmCham Board on February 7, 2012. Mr. Bouajaja heads Eli Lilly & Co affiliate as Country Manager for Morocco and French West Africa Countries. Yassine comes with 11 years experience working in the pharmaceutical industry in North Africa, Switzerland, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. He holds an MBA from Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane.

Soprofel (Production & sales of vegetables, fruits, dates & olives) Mr. Hassan Drhem Koutoubia Holding (Transformation of Halal meat products) Mr. Taher Bemezzagh Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tours Voyages (Tourism, incentive, business travel) Mr. Az-Eddine Skalli

Join us in welcoming Yassine Bouajaja!

IBP Trade Shows and Tourism Information

The International Plastics Showcase, April 1- 5 in Orlando The International Plastics Showcase (NPE2012) is one of the largest and oldest U.S.-based international trade shows. As the single largest concentration of professionals in the U.S. plastics industry, every three years NPE brings together a cross section of virtually the entire plastics and elastomers industry. As a result, this event has a pivotal effect on plastics industry buying decisions worldwide. NPE offers more education sessions than other shows of its kind, offering many informative, relevant sessions that truly add value to an attendee’s registration. Industries represented at the show: Additives & modifiers, assembly equipment, bagmaking, barrels, bimetallic cylinders, blenders/mixers, blowmolding, blowmolding (extrusion and/or injection), CAD/CAM and/or CIM, chemical materials/pigments/ dyestuff, chillers/chilling, cleaners and/or cleaning equipment, coatings, colorants, composites, cut-off equipment, decorating equipment, deflashing equipment, dicers/pelletizers, dies, dryers, economic and/or industrial development/EMI/RFL shielding/ engineering equipment/services, extrusion (film, sheet and/or profile), fillers and reinforcements, finishing equipment, granulators/ grinders/shredders, heat transfer fluids and/or oils, heaters/heating elements, hydraulics/pneumatics, injection (electric, horizontal, and/or vertical), machine controls, material and parts conveyors, measuring, gauging, monitoring, recording equipment, mold bases, mold frames, mold temperature control units, moldmakers, purging compounds, rapid prototyping and/or prototyping, recycling, resins, rim, robots(ICS)/automation systems, rotational molding, runnerless systems, screen changers, static control equipment, temperature controls, thermoforming, thermoforming, vacuum forming, film, pressure forming, tooling, water treatment equipment (electrical and liquid), and welding equipment. Benefits for International Buyer Program (IBP) Attendees: Discounted registration fees, Daily informal networking 8-9am, Complimentary networking reception, Airfare and hotel discounts and Possible technical field trips. More on the show at www.npe.org, Contact: AmCham at amcham@amcham-morocco.com, Tel: 0522 250 736/37.

What to do while you are in Orlando? Walt Disney World (WDW) increasingly became a big business: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, two water parks, as well as a myriad of vacation hotels, retail establishments, sports facilities, nighttime entertainment centers, and restaurants became as we know it today - the Walt Disney World Resort. Other interesting parks outside Disney World Resort, include, SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Smaller tourist attractions such as the Orlando Science Center and Wonder Works are also popular with visitors. Each park is worth a visit, but the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and SeaWorld are not to be missed. Of the two movie parks, Universal Studios and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the former is larger and rooted more in contemporary film; the latter projects the ambience of Hollywood in its heyday while incorporating modern movie and television themes. Islands of Adventure has more thrills for big kids and adults, and will bring out the child in everyone. Two dining, shopping, and entertainment centers stand out: CityWalk at Universal and Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort. Cirque du Soleil’s acrobats, theatrics, and stunning choreography of “La Nouba,” was specially created for Cirque’s Downtown Disney theater. DisneyQuest at Downtown Disney is an indoor theme park with several hours’ worth of virtual-reality attractions. There is plenty to do in Orlando - and magic all the way!..here are some highlights you don’t want to miss.... NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html Aquatica: www.aquaticabyseaworld.com Black Hammock airboat Rides: www.theblackhammock.com Corona Cigar Company & Avo Cigar Bar: www.coronacigar.com Discovery Cove: www.discoverycove.com Disney’s Hollywood Studios: www.disneyworld.disney.com Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: www.disneyworld.disney.com Epcot: www.disneyworld.disney.com SeaWorld Orlando: www.seaworld.com Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Club: www.shinglecreekgolf.com Universal Studios Florida: www.universalorlando.com

AD 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 : 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, E-learning 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

AmCham Announcements

Do you know the list of services available for you? AmCham is pleased to remind you of the benefits and services offered to members. Take advantage of your membership and use the list of services hereafter. AmCham staff is here to serve you! * Advocacy and assistance with business concerns. * Business environment briefings. * Business matchmaking/One- on- One meetings/Partner search. * Business referrals. * Business Executive Visa Program (BEP). * CV database. * Committees. * Discounts. * Events: Seminars, debates, roundtables, gala ball , golf challenge and Mixers. * Information on U.S. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Morocco trade and Investment. * Mediation. * Promotional opportunities on AmCham website and publications. * Publications and Reports: Annual Directory, E-newsletter, OBG report. * U.S.-Morocco Trade and Investment Award. If you have a question about the services or a suggestion, feel free to call us at 0522 25 07 360522 25 07 37.

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>