Local Business Leaders Supporting New Democracy and Economic Development

posted on: Nov 16, 2011

Dearborn, MI-based American Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) leaders Ahmad Chebbani and Fay Beydoun visited the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday, November 15th to participate in the “Tunisia Partnerships Forum.” The forum, hosted by the Department of State, discussed the wide range of public and private sector efforts promoting democracy and economic development in Tunisia. Mr. Chebbani, Chairman and Co-Founder of the AACC and Ms. Beydoun, the Chamber’s Executive Director, joined Diaspora leaders,investors, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business people from across the U.S. and Tunisia. They discussed revenue-generating deals that will benefit both Americans and Tunisians by fostering job creation and economic opportunity in both countries.

“It is an exciting time for U.S.-Tunisia cooperation,” said Chebbani. “We have an opportunity to help build institutions that support a burgeoning democracy as we grow American businesses and create jobs right here at home.”

Additionally, AACC and the American Arab Institute (AAI) partnered to host a White House-led special breakout session of the Tunisia Partnerships Forum at the Department of State. Following up on several meetings the AACC and AAI convened at the White House earlier this year, the Arab American Business Partnership Initiative’s Donor Coordination Summit hosted Arab American Diaspora leaders as well as representatives from international foundations and NGOs in a roundtable discussion about how they can augment U.S. foreign policy and bring to bear investment and development in the Middle East and North Africa region.

“This moment after the Arab Spring is truly a critical one for investment in the Middle East and North Africa,” added Beydoun. “I’m excited for the chance to develop partnerships that will support institutional development, and ultimately democracy, for a crucial North African partner.”

The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization committed to building economic bridges by promoting and empowering the Arab-American community on a local, national and international level. To learn more, visit http://www.americanarab.com.