American Chamber Of Commerce In Iraq Is Formed

ByJohn S. McClenahen Although newspaper headlines and television images have lately focused on non-business issues in Iraq, a U.S. business community is coming together in the Middle East nation. On May 17 the U.S. Chamber of Commerce welcomed the formation of the American Chamber of Commerce in Iraq as the 98th overseas member of the Washington, D.C.-based business federation. "Establishment of an American Chamber in Iraq is a critically important step not only for the promotion of U.S. business interests in Iraq, but [also] the much larger mission of rebuilding that country over the long-term," said Dan Christman, the U.S. Chamber's senior vice president for international affairs. American Chambers of Commerce overseas are voluntary associations of U.S. companies and individuals doing business in a country as well as companies and individuals of that country who do business in the U.S.