25 Jan 2012
Annual General Meeting & Benjamin Franklin Celebration

  The American Chamber of Commerce in France would like to thank all the members who attended the 118th Annual General Meeting & Benjamin Franklin Celebration at the U.S. Ambassador Residence on January 25th. The members elected the Board of Directors for 2012 and speeches were made by U.S. Ambassador to France & Monaco, Charles Rivkin and AmCham France President Eric Boustouller as well as Marina Niforos,... Read More

11 Jan 2012
Women & the Internet featuring Brigitte Cantaloube, MD & VP sales, Yahoo France!

On January 10, AmCham France had the pleasure of welcoming Brigitte Cantaloube, Managing Director & VP sales of Yahoo France!, who shared her insight on women’s use of the internet &  the current opportunities for advancement in the Internet industry, sharing with the audience her experience as a Managing Director of a leading digital media company.  ... Read More

06 Dec 2011
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Visits AmCham France Offices

The American Chamber of Commerce in France is proud to welcome the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Delegation to our offices this Tuesday, as part of their visit to key public and private institutions in Paris. The Chicagoland delegation includes regional economic representatives, university officials, and representatives from local businesses as well as James Thomas, former governor of Illinois. ... Read More

01 Dec 2011
IAPP EUROPE: Data Protection Congress 2011

  AmCham France is proud to be an association Co-Sponsor of the IAPP EUROPE: Data Protection Congress 2011.  An event featuring key regulators who will share their outlook over the regulatory landscape—from the e-Privacy Directive to the future of the Article 29 Working Party. Special keynote Viviane Reding will provide the latest update on the revision process for the EU data protection directive. More information on the event at: ... Read More

11 Oct 2011
Energy Efficiency: An Opportunity, Not a Challenge!

The City of Paris in partnership with the Embassy of the United States of America, with the support of the American Chamber of Commerce, the French American Foundation, Microsoft, Deloitte and corporate sponsors, Presented a trans-Atlantic conference and workshops entitled "Energy Efficiency:  An Opportunity, Not a Challenge!" on October 11, 2011.  Recognized experts were invited to give keynote presentations.  Panelists from the private and public secto... Read More

06 Oct 2011
Improving Corporate Governance: AmCham, Wil Network, Administration Moderne

On 6 October, over 70 high-profile attendees joined us at Swisslife Banque Privée to discuss and propose solutions to improve governance in the context of the financial crisis, which go beyond the sole use of quotas on Boards. ... Read More

21 Sep 2011
Women for Europe and Citizens' Initiative

(Picture on the left includes: Marina Niforos & Brigitte Grésy) The Women in Europe & Citizen's Initiative conference, was organized in conjunction with the Robert Schuman Foundation at the European Parliament. AmCham Managing Dire... Read More

AmCham Visa Seminar Notes

On November 30th, 2011, The Legal Affairs Committee held an event on "Business Visa Policy and Adjudications" at the AmCham France offices. The event was moderated by Richard S. Goldstein, Senior Partner, Law offices of Richard Goldstein, Mark O’Connor, Chief of Visa Services, American Embassy Paris,  Gary Schumann, Consular Officer, American Embassy Paris & Robert Brennan, Chief, Non-Immigrant Visa Unit, American Embassy Paris. 

To view the notes from the event, click on the following link:  AmCham Visa Seminar Notes

Commerce in France, Fall-Winter 2011

Our latest issue of COMMERCE IN FRANCE is now available online, focusing on talent management with articles such as: Stewardship: Core Element of Talent Management - The Role of the Workplace in Talent Management - Unleashing Talent Across Cultures - Talent Management, U.S.-Government Style - From Performance-Management to Collaboration, True Performance and Development: “Dialogue” at Alcatel-Lucent - There are Seven Billion Reasons We Encourage People to Work for Dupont - Young Professional Program: How Young International Talent Is Shaping the Workforce of Tomorrow - Un « passeport de formation » au management - Talent Management in Post-Crisis Times - How Crown Relocations Attracts and Retains Talent - Prise de fonction : gérer son talent

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US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, visits AmCham France

On Friday, December 2, 2011 the American Chamber of Commerce in France had the honor of hosting Janet Napolitano, US Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at our new offices for a private roundtable luncheon and discussion. Despite being only eight years old, the Department of Homeland Security has the third largest international footprint of American agencies, working physically in 75 countries and covering a wide area of jurisdictions, including intellectual property rights protection and cyber security.

The executive representatives of companies present including Apple, AT&T, Areva, CISCO, Disney, DHL, FedEx, LVMH, Microsoft, Verizon and Vivendi were given the opportunity to voice their concerns and questions in an open discussion with Secretary Napolitano. Examples of questions raised were:

- "How can the IP of global brands be protected in the face of extensive counterfeiting in the Chinese market?

- "How is Cloud computing technology impacting the way we do business and how is this redefining traditional concepts of 'privacy' in France?

- "Considering recent events in Europe and the Middle East, the issue of 'free internet/free speech' is extremely relevant. How do we reconcile the inherent tension between encouraging freedom of expression on the internet and protecting IP rights?

The Secretary also shared her views on how DHS is strengthening its reach through increased engagement with international stakeholders and how, in a more connected and mobile world, security has become a shared responsibility. Throughout the discussion Secretary Napolitano stressed the interrelated nature of security and commerce, highlighting DHS efforts to promote trade and travel through various bilateral and multilateral security agreements. She also spoke about the progress of recent global agreements such as the Passenger Name Record agreements and the increased outreach to the private sector in the areas of cyber security and IP protection to enhance incident response (towards transatlantic smuggling rings, counterfeit goods websites, protection of defense systems).

We are very grateful to Secretary Napolitano and her staff for providing the American Chamber of Commerce and its members with a unique opportunity to meet and discuss the latest policy developments that impact their business.

With special thanks to NYSE EURONEXT for their Sponsorship

BIAC: Business’ message to G20 Labour Ministers

 Business’ message to G20 Labour Ministers: Restoring business confidence urgently needed to stimulate job creation

Paris, 27 September 2011 – In a meeting Monday with Labour Ministers from the G20 countries, BIAC called for strong action by governments to avoid the devastating effects a “double-dip” global recession would have on employment.

“Without decisive action, we risk prolonging record levels of long-term unemployment and having millions more young people enter adulthood without the prospect of meaningful work,” said BIAC Chairman Charles P. Heeter. “This would be tragic for the individuals involved, their families and our societies.”

BIAC urged governments to prioritise action to restore investor and consumer confidence by delivering clear and pragmatic national, regional and global strategies for growth and job creation. “The way out of the crisis will come from the private sector growth. Governments must focus on creating a better business environment to restore investor confidence,” continued Heeter.

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2011 Bain - AmCham Barometer

Click (read more) to take the survey

For over ten years the American Chamber of Commerce in France (AmCham) has queried U.S. company CEOs on their perceptions of the French investment climate.  The results of this poll, called “Le moral des investisseurs américains en France,” are presented at a press conference in November.  It is a tremendous lobbying tool for all American companies in France, whether AmCham members or not.

This is the chance for American companies and their employees operating in France to have their voice heard with the media and the government on economic reforms which can improve the French investment climate, and thus directly affect your bottom line.

Please note, we ask only employees of American companies operating in France to take the survey

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A TRANSATLANTIC ZERO AGREEMENT: Estimating the Gains from Transatlantic Free Trade in Goods

Today, October 12, 2011, the United States Congress is scheduled to give up-or-down votes to the U.S. trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. Below is a study by the European Center For National Political Economy, commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which examines the potential gains from a transatlantic zero-tariff agreement on trade in goods.

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Sign Up for the New AmCham E-Newsletter

Sign up  for the new AmCham France E-Newsletter to find out the latest on AmCham news and events. 

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Passing of former AmCham President Bruno Grob

The AmCham is saddened to anounce the recent passing of former AmCham President Bruno Grob. Grob, who presided over the chamber from 2002-2005, was CEO of Otis Europe, and President of the Special Olympics - France. He was described by former AmCham France Managing Director Stephen Pierce as "... a man of action, fast on his feet and in his mind, always looking for solutions, often outside the box, he pushed us all to succeed, and made it rewarding and enjoyable." Added Pierce: "I believe that his best role in life was that of mentor sharing his experience....With Bruno’s death, AmCham France looses one of its champions." Our sincere condolences go out to Mr. Grob's family.

France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations

U.S. commercial ties with France are extensive, mutually profitable, and growing. With over $1 billion in commercial transactions taking place between the two countries every day of the year, each country has an increasingly large stake in the health and openness of the other’s economy.

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2010 AmCham-Bain Baromètre

Click here for the 'Dossier de Présentation' of the 2010 AmCham Barometer in French, which includes the evaluation, and an analysis of the of the survey of the Level of Satisfaction of American investors in France (Le moral des investisseurs américains en France")

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